Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1733. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of purpose-built student accommodation units available in Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1998/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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A new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term Policy in January 2024. The Strategy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through the Technological University (TU) Feasibility study.

The intention of the TU Feasibility Study is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future Technological University student accommodation proposals. The results of the TU Feasibility study will determine what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation. MTU Kerry are actively participating in this study.

The Standardised Design Study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State, ensuring affordability of additional supply for students. The TU Feasibility study is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study for student accommodation, to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation based on regional needs and feasibility assessments.

Supply data from the Higher Education Authority indicates there to be 815 privately owned student accommodation beds in Kerry. These beds were available prior to 2019 with no new developments between 2019 to end 2024.

As of the 6th of January, the number of beds advertised in digs accommodation by Munster Technological University, Kerry is 102.