Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to ensure accommodation providers retain 40-week tenancies for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26495/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level students.

Just this morning, Government approved the priority drafting of the Residential Tenancies (Student Specific Accommodation) Bill for passing by the Houses of the Oireachtas during the summer session. This, of course, will be subject to the advices from the Office of the Attorney General. This Bill will ensure that student accommodation contracts will align to the academic year.

It will also tighten protections on advance payments to ensure students are not forced into payments of more than what is currently legislated for.

Student specific accommodation is within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board. The Residential Tenancies Board provides a confidential dispute resolution service. Investigations can commence based on information received from a member of the public. A student with specific concerns regarding their accommodation should contact the Residential Tenancies Board in the first instance to seek advice or register a complaint.