Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated timeline for the delivery of the DCU student accommodation project for the promised funding of 405-beds, which is currently undergoing ongoing procurement through internal university governance structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48766/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Short-Term Activation Programme, €100m funding was allocated to Higher Education Institutions with Purpose-Built Student Accommodation projects that had secured planning permission but had stalled due to viability challenges.

As part of the funding conditions, a proportion of the new student beds will be ringfenced for students from target groups identified in the National Access Plan. These designated beds will be offered at a reduced rental rate to support access to higher education for underrepresented and disadvantaged students.

I can confirm that the DCU 405-beds project is currently being assessed by the HEA and undergoing ongoing procurement through internal University Governance Structures. The department is awaiting the results of this process to decide about further actions.

The project of 116 beds at Buckley House, Maynooth University is now completed and ready to welcome students for the upcoming academic year 2025/2026.

I announced on 3rd September the allocation of €67million in state funding to enable UCD to enter contract for the delivery of 493 Student Accommodation beds.

A new student accommodation strategy is in development and will be submitted to Government in Q4. It aims to build a fairer, more sustainable system, where cost and availability are no longer barriers to entry or progression through higher education. The focus is on delivering targeted and effective interventions that promote equitable access to higher education across the country.