Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current availability of 'digs' student accommodation, along with the possibility of introducing a non-overbearing regulatory framework in this sector without harming current levels of supply. [25567/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Rent-a-Room Scheme falls within the remit of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, TD. The main users of the scheme are the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and my Department in terms of residential and student accommodation.

While my Department would not have figures on the overall supply of digs accommodation, there are approximately 4,000 digs beds reported as being advertised and available through our public Higher Education Institutions.

Digs accommodation is not covered by the Residential Tenancy Acts, and the Residential Tenancies Board does not have any jurisdiction or function for these types of licences. Housing Regulation is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD.

Traditionally, students residing in digs accommodation benefit from the goodwill that exists to ensure that both students and homeowners are happy with the arrangement. It is possible for the arrangements to be formalised by way of a licence between the parties, but this is a matter of choice for the parties themselves to agree on.In 2023, my Department published a voluntary regulatory framework and sample license agreement to assist both homeowners and students who wish to avail of the Rent-a-Room scheme. The guidance aims to highlight to homeowners and students the key issues to consider when entering into the scheme.

My Government colleagues and I will continue our work to increase awareness and availability of the scheme which is an important provider of flexible and affordable accommodation for students and the wider renter market.