Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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2550. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy or strategic approach to enabling or supporting the delivery of student accommodation by higher education institutions; and whether any capital funding, borrowing flexibility or public private partnership models are under consideration to expand student housing supply. [19853/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the new Student Accommodation Strategy is to eliminate accommodation cost and availability as barriers to accessing third-level education. One of the ways we will achieve this is by increasing the supply of accommodation through viability measures for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

For the first time, the State is investing in student accommodation to address the viability challenges currently faced in the sector. This investment represents a crucial step in tackling the ongoing shortage of student housing. By providing financial support, the State aims address the viability gap, enabling HEIs to develop and maintain accommodation. This investment not only helps alleviate immediate pressures but also sets the foundation for a more sustainable approach to student housing in the future, ensuring that HEIs can continue to support the growing student population.

Several accommodation delivery mechanisms are being explored for funding, including the construction of new PBSA, leasing arrangements for PBSA, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and refurbishment of vacant properties. These options aim to diversify the approaches to expanding student accommodation, ensuring flexibility and scalability to meet the growing demand.

The Technological University Accommodation Programme will prioritise regional balance and develop customised accommodation delivery models with the Sector. While the results of the Standardised Design Specifications Project will be key to establishing best practise and value for money for the State, ensuring affordability of additional supply for students.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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2551. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Technological University of the Shannon is not permitted to borrow for the purpose of developing student accommodation; and if there are plans to review borrowing restrictions to enable technological universities to support the delivery of on-campus housing. [19854/25]

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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2552. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy or legislative basis for restricting technological universities, including the Technological University of the Shannon, from borrowing to fund the construction of student accommodation; and whether any such restriction is under review. [19855/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2551 and 2552 together.

Provisions regarding how a university may borrow by means of bank overdraft or otherwise and may guarantee or underwrite a loan taken or borrowing undertaken by any person, are set out in section 38 of the Universities Act 1997 and section 21 of the Technological Universities Act 2018.

Rules regarding how a technological university may borrow are not currently in place. However, there are commitments in the Programme for Government to enable technological universities to borrow funds for initiatives like student accommodation.

For institutions, other than traditional universities, to borrow there would need to a consultation process with the HEA. This would necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained. Having passed those primary screening tests, the prospective borrowing entity would then be required to pass the relevant tests, procedures and requirements of the Housing Finance Agency before accessing borrowing funds.

The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context. In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of TUs themselves or the wider public finances, requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established.

The development of robust and adequate systems ensures that any proposed borrowing is rigorously examined to protect both Exchequer funding and HEIs themselves.

A new student accommodation strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term policy last year. The strategy will include measures to increase the supply of 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, while supporting balanced regional development through a Technological University (TU) student accommodation programme.

The intention of the TU student accommodation programme is to assess proposals and potential opportunities to meet the future demand for accommodation, including for the Technological University of the Shannon. The programme, together with the ongoing standardised design study, will provide a framework of viable delivery models based on regional needs and feasibility assessments. Any potential funding options will be informed by this framework of delivery models and may require approval by Government.