Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 23 May 2024, for an update on his plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; his plans for the building of additional student accommodation in Galway, in light of the recent scrapping of the proposal for the leasing of approximately 272 beds from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Under Government initiatives for student accommodation, two proposals have been submitted by the University of Galway. The Higher Education Authority progressed due diligence assessment on the proposals, however during the assessment stage the proposals were withdrawn by the vendors.

The Department and the Higher Education Authority will continue to engage with the University of Galway in relation to potential projects through the developing long term policy and strategy for Student Accommodation.

The new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following approval of the Long Term Policy earlier this year. This policy approach includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing stock and vacancy while supporting balanced regional development.

We have extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply, and we will run an advertising campaign in advance of commencement of the academic year to encourage homeowners to rent a room to a student. Digs accommodation can provide a suitable and more affordable option for some students.

My Department is engaging with the Department of Transport to facilitate the alignment of our student accommodation policy to meet agreed climate action requirements, in particular the development of local area demand management schemes in conjunction with the relevant local authorities to provide targeted public transport services, aligned to college/university timetables, with support for alternative travel methods to and from college through provision of cycle ways, bike to college schemes and so on.

For the current academic year there are an additional 1,021 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions with 674 of these in University of Galway. In addition, as of the 31st of May, HEIs have indicated that that there are approximately 134 rooms available in Galway for digs accommodation.

The most recent Building Information data (May 2024) supplied by the Higher Education Authority indicates that since 2017, 1,739 new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds have been built in Galway. Work is underway on site on an additional 403 bed spaces and planning permission has been obtained for a further 1,669 beds.