Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of purpose-built student accommodation units available in Cork city in September 2024. [30184/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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This Government and I are committed to removing accommodation as a barrier to education. In November 2022, the Government approved the development of a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation for public higher education institutions (HEIs). This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.

To date, as part of short term response measures, the Government approved in principle of up to €100m in funding to unlock the development of approximately 1,000 student accommodation beds across a number of HEIs, with delivery beginning in 2025.

In tandem with the progression of these projects, on the 16th of January, the Government received approval for the long-term student accommodation policy and methodology. The aim of this policy is to increase the supply of student accommodation and to examine alternative solutions that will remove accommodation as a barrier to higher education.

There are 1,536 public beds available in University College Cork. A research report by Frank Knight in September 2023 on Student Housing in Ireland indicates that there are 7,200 PBSA beds in Cork.

I can advise that there have been 3,061 student accommodation beds completed since 2017. Of these, 2,806 were private while 255 public beds were completed by UCC in 2023. There are 629 private beds currently being developed.

In addition 955 beds have been granted planning permission with a further 206 beds awaiting a planning decision.

Within digs accommodation, the latest supply figures indicate that there are 792 beds available in the Cork area.

My Department will continue to promote the Rent a Room scheme in advance of the upcoming academic year, to further increase supply of available beds.