Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details on the missed targets in the last accommodation strategy; the reason this occurred; the reason there was no mention of this in Budget 2026; for an update on targets currently; if new funding will be put in place for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55741/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The National Student Accommodation Strategy (NSAS) 2017–2024 aimed to meet rising student housing demand and ease pressure on the private rental market. Two key goals demonstrate its progress:

The first goal was to deliver 7,000 new PBSA beds by 2019, aligned with Rebuilding Ireland. This was exceeded, with over 8,000 beds completed by the end of that year.

The second goal aimed for 21,000 new PBSA beds by 2024, above the 2017 baseline of 33,441. By June 2025, the total reached approximately 49,000 beds, despite major challenges like Brexit, Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and global supply chain issues.

A new Student Accommodation Strategy (2025–2035) will be published later this year, focusing on expanding student housing, especially in the regions.

Funding comes from the National Development Plan capital allocation to my department. Funding announcements are made only at the time of programme or project approval. This is done to protect the public interest, ensure value for money when going to market and avoid market speculation or inflationary pressure on construction costs.

Significant investment is already underway, with €100 million allocated under the Short-Term Activation Programme. I officially opened Maynooth University’s 116-bed project on 8th of September and on 5th of September, I approved funding of €67m to enable University College Dublin to enter into a contract for the delivery of 493 Student Accommodation beds.