Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on efforts to increase the supply of student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22757/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All.

I am progressing a new policy and student accommodation strategy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation.

Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in additional National Development Plan funding for delivery of over 1,000 additional student beds with the University sector. These are developments which had been stalled due to cost viability, and are being progressed under a short term activation initiative. This allocation will activate Phase 1 of UCD’s project for delivery of 493 beds, in addition to Maynooth University’s 116 bed project progression to construction, and the DCU’s 405 bed project through tender stage.

The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government in January. This includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.

My officials and the HEA are working intensively on options proposals from the TU sector. This process includes engagement with local authorities on potential refurbishment projects and new build proposals. An initial assessment report is expected from the HEA by end May, outlining the next phase of the proposal development.

We have extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply for students, including an income disregard for SUSI and medical card eligibility and expansion for local authority tenants to participate in the scheme for students.