Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the implications of a recent decision (details supplied); if the cost of construction is the barrier to the delivery of affordable student accommodation; the steps the Government is taking to support construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22109/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Addressing the continuing shortage of affordable student accommodation remains a key priority for my department. As an immediate response to the shortage of student accommodation and in advance of the new Student Accommodation Strategy, the Short-Term Activation Programme was implemented. Under this programme, 967 beds have been delivered or are progressing. These include Maynooth University’s completed 116-bed project, UCD’s 493-bed project now approved for construction. A 358-bed development at Trinity College Dublin is being progressed through relevant approval gates.

The project referred to by the deputy did not proceed under the short term activation programme due to cost considerations However, I am pleased to confirm that the National Student Accommodation Strategy has been published and sets out a clear vision to make higher education more accessible by addressing two distinct challenges: accommodation affordability and accommodation supply and viability.

As part of this strategy we will be working with the sector to increase the activation of supply of beds. It is expected that recent Government Interventions may help viability. The strategy also sets out a clear pathway in the Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme.