James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Last month I published the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035 following Government Approval. The Strategy sets out a clear pathway to improve access to higher education by addressing two key challenges: the supply and viability of student accommodation, and its affordability.

To address supply and viability the strategy sets out a balanced approach including:

• A commitment to long term State-backed measures to activate supply, working in partnership with the private sector.
• Support for the development of accommodation on public campuses as well as on private sites near to campus, subject to State Aid clearance.
• The development of a framework, in line with relevant Departmental consents, to support to universities to develop nomination agreements with the private sector.
• The expansion of the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme to include traditional universities enabling the sector as a whole to meet demand; and
• The enhanced supply of student beds through promotion of Rent-a-Room accommodation.

We have already engaged extensively with the Technological Sector where multiple proposals have been developed including from Galway, and these will be brought forward on a phased basis this year, beginning in our main cities and then expanding nationwide.

Since 2017, 16,266 PBSA beds have been completed nationwide, bringing total stock to over 49,200. As of the end of March 2026, commencement notices have issued for 2,735 Student beds and 14,233 have planning permission. Additionally, planning permission has been applied for a further 1,684 student beds.

The University of Galway opened 674 new student beds at Dunlin Village for the 2023–2024 academic year. In addition, 345 beds are currently in development on Queen Street through private sector investment supported by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.

The homeowner room-rental campaign ran again in advance of academic year 2025/26. As of March 2026, over 4,800 rent a room beds were advertised nationwide, including 181 in Galway. As of the end of December, 898 privately owned student beds in Galway had planning permission, with a further 922 beds where a commencement notice has issued.

The new Student Accommodation Programme will be rolled out in phases. Galway is in the first phase together with Dublin and Cork. Engagement is already underway in respect of phase one and discussions have taken place with Institutions/DPER and the NDFA.