Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his strategy for addressing student accommodation shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40032/24]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to address the shortage of third-level student accommodation; the measures being taken to ensure affordability of rents charged to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40029/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together.

I am developing a new Student Accommodation Strategy to create an environment where accommodation cost and availability does not act as a barrier to attending third level education.

The strategy will include measures to increase the supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through standardised design guidance and promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy.

To inform the strategy, the Technological University study is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study. This study will ensure high standard appropriate accommodation is available for students with a view to creating efficiencies and reducing rent rates. A report on this study is due in December.

€100 million in capital investment from the NDP was committed in 2024. This allowed the progression of 1,014 new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation beds in MU, DCU and UCD. 30% of the new beds will be ring-fenced for target group students at below market rates.

The allocation of €6million annual funding in Budget 2025 will support the activation of up to 1,200 student accommodation beds in our regional campus locations, through a leasing programme.

A further €1million secured to provide accommodation officers in campus locations to support students and accommodation needs.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2024 came into operation on 19^th July, ensuring that Student Specific Accommodation leases/licences are aligned to the traditional academic calendar (up to a maximum of 41 weeks). This legislation prevents students being forced into longer leases and thus potentially reduces annual rental by up to 25%.

In addition, promotional campaigns have resulted in a significant increase of immediate supply through digs accommodation. As of the 30th of September 2024, approximately 5,200 digs beds are being advertised by our universities and colleges. This is an increase of 1,900 advertised beds since the beginning of my Department’s rent-a-room campaign and an additional 2,800 beds when compared to the same period in 2023.