James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a multi-annual plan to deliver new student accommodation, including through State financed purpose-built student accommodation on public or private lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26319/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of the new Student Accommodation Strategy which is in development is to address affordability and supply of student accommodation. My focus is on delivering targeted interventions that advance equitable access to higher education.

To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools: the development of standardised design approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs; the use of enhanced supply and demand data to inform planning and investment decisions; the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme to support regionally balanced, institution-specific delivery models; and the national student accommodation survey to capture the lived experiences and needs of students across the country.

My Department will continue to work closely with higher education institutions to develop and implement accommodation initiatives under this strategy. I intend to bring the Student Accommodation Strategy to Government later this year.