Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of purpose-built student accommodation units available in Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6808/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking a strategic approach to improving both the affordability and accessibility of student accommodation across Ireland. A central part of this is the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP), which allows Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology to submit proposals for student accommodation on or near their campuses. Through this programme, I am ensuring that new developments are evidence-based, regionally targeted and capable of providing sustainable, high-quality accommodation. It also allows me to support a range of delivery options, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in meeting student housing needs.

The homeowner room-rental campaign ran again last September. For the week ending 2 January, over 5,100 digs beds were advertised nationwide, including 559 in Kerry.

By the end of December 2025, there were no purpose-built student bed developments within the planning system in Kerry, and no such planning applications have been submitted since 2019. No purpose-built student accommodation schemes have been completed in the county during this period.

The only purpose-built student beds granted planning permission in Kerry comprised of a seven-bed scheme approved in 2014, however, this permission has since expired and was not delivered.

Through TSSAP, I am helping to expand accommodation in areas where it has historically been limited, including Kerry, particularly around Technological Universities, supporting equitable access to higher education and reducing reliance on long daily commutes. Preliminary Business Cases are expected to be completed on a rolling basis throughout 2026.