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Student Accommodation Assistance
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) is committed to addressing supply of affordable student accommodation for priority group students, in line with policy commitments set out in the National Access Plan 2022 - 2028 (NAP) . The NAP aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs. The plan targets and supports students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, including those who have experience of the care system, students with disabilities and students from the Irish Traveller and Roma communities.
In November 2023, DFHERIS was awarded Dormant Accounts Funding to pilot a scheme to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to higher education for the Traveller and Roma students, as well as those with experience of the care system.
The first round of funding saw 80 students benefitting from the assistance, 60 Traveller/Roma students and 20 care-experienced students. A second round of funding was made available in January 2025.
In addition, a further €600,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding has been approved for the 2025/2026 academic year. Details of this funding will be made available later in 2025.
For the 2024/2025 academic year, the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) includes an additional and specific ringfenced allocation to assist students from Traveller and Roma backgrounds and those with experience of the care system with the cost of accommodation, when living independently while attending third level education. The aim is to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to accessing and progressing through higher education.
To be eligible for the Student Accommodation Assistance:
Students must be a member of one or more of the following groups:
Students must be living independently for the purpose of attending third level education; this includes students renting away from home during the academic year with leases covering up to 12 months duration.
Students must not be in receipt of another accommodation support e.g., HAP, Rent Supplement or other.
Students can reside in on or off-campus student specific accommodation, private rental accommodation, house shares or ‘digs’ accommodation.
Students must not be already in receipt of the Student Accommodation Assistance for the 24/25 academic year. There should only be one successful application per course year, per student.
Both full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who meet the above specified criteria are eligible for the student accommodation assistance.
Mature and repeat students are also eligible.
Students should apply directly with the access office or student support office in their college. The closing date for the second round of applications is the 4th of February 2025.
The assistance awarded will be the total cost of the student’s rent, up to a maximum of €6,000 per academic year. A student must provide proof of their rental costs regardless of if the student resides in private rental, digs, student specific accommodation on and off-campus.
A helpful guide with frequently asked questions can be found here .