Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a new national student accommodation strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3732/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following 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) student accommodation programme. The Strategy will be completed in Q2 2025.

To inform the strategy, the TU student accommodation programme is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study.

An expert multi-disciplinary design team has been appointed to research and develop new design standards for State supported purpose-built student accommodation. The study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State.

In tandem the TU student accommodation programme is progressing. The next phase of this programme will produce a shortlist of suitable projects which will provide a pipeline of supply for the sector.

The Short-Term Activation Programme has been progressing and is currently supporting development of c.1,000 student beds with €100 million in funding approved by Government in 2024. This short-term approach has been necessary in the context of the housing challenges faced and the inability of higher education institutions to progress developments with planning permission due to cost viability issues.

Since 2017 to end December 2024, 15,779 purpose-built student beds have been built, bringing the total stock of student beds to over 48,000 beds. In January, approximately 4,500 digs beds were being advertised by our universities and colleges.