Student Accommodation

In November 2022, the Government approved the development of a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation for public higher education institutions. This is the first time the State will provide funding to build student accommodation.

The aim of the policy is to create an environment where accommodation cost and availability does not act as a barrier to attending third level education. This dual benefit policy aims to increase the supply of student specific accommodation therefore removing students from the private rental market and increasing housing availability for private individuals and families.

To advance this work, a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit was established. Housing for All includes actions to develop short-term state support to activate construction of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), as well as developing and designing a policy for long-term state support. The Student Accommodation unit is responsible for the implementation of the resulting Student Accommodation Strategy and action plans.

To help with the supply of accommodation in the short term, the Government has committed to provide funding to Higher Education Institutes to build student accommodation that had planning permission but couldn’t proceed due to the high cost of construction. The Short-Term Activation Programme is the emergency response to student accommodation challenges.

€100m in capital investment from the National Development Plan was committed over the period 2024-2026. This allowed the progression of 1,014 new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation beds in Maynooth University, Dublin City University and University College Dublin. Thirty Percent (30%) of the new beds will be ringfenced for target group students at below market rates.

Although this is a policy for all students, there is an emphasis on providing student accommodation for the most disadvantaged, in line with the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), NAP (National Access Plan) and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) schemes.

A new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following approval of the long-term Policy in January 2024. The Strategy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through the Technological University Feasibility study.

The intention of Technological University Feasibility Study is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future Technological University (TU) student accommodation proposals.

The results of the Technological University Feasibility study will determine what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation through either new-build PBSA, leasing, acquisition, refurbishing or redevelopment of existing sites. A number of accommodation delivery mechanisms are being examined.

To increase capacity in the TU sector €6m in annual funding was allocated in Budget 2025. This funding will support the activation of up to 1,200 student accommodation beds in our regional campus locations, through a leasing programme. A further €1m secured will provide accommodation officers in campus locations to support students and accommodation needs.

Following a recommendation from the Residential Construction Cost Study report, a Standardised Design Study is underway. The study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for State funded PBSA. The study will also consider other recommendations from this report, such as the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient society and the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction.

This project will support affordability of additional supply for students, and deliver modern PBSA facilities that are functional, sustainable, maintainable, flexible, and safe, with high quality architectural design.

A series of reports will identify and make recommendations on international best practice for student accommodation and will inform design specifications and guidance for the development of state supported student accommodation in Ireland.

All colleges and universities are supporting their students to find accommodation by encouraging student digs. This is done either by their accommodation offices or their students' unions.

Further information can be found by clicking this link.

In 2024, the Department was awarded €600,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding to pilot a scheme to increase access and help reduce the cost of accommodation as a barrier to higher education for Traveller and Roma students, as well as those with experience of the care system.

A further €600,000 has been approved for the 2024/25 academic year for this target group of students. Further information on the Student Accommodation Assistance Fund can be found by clicking this link.

Additionally, for the 2024/25 academic year, €440,000 has been allocated to the Student Assistance Fund specifically for any student who may find themselves in financial difficulty arising from their housing or student accommodation situation. For further information contact the access office within the relevant Higher Education Institution.

Budget 2025 sees the Rent Tax Credit increasing from €750 per individual to €1,000 for students residing in purpose-built student accommodation, private rentals, and “Digs” or rent a room arrangement. The rent tax credit can be claimed for past years from 2022 onwards.

Students are also eligible for the Student Leap Card which gives them 50% off adult public transport fares. Further information can be found by clicking this link.

The Government is committed to enhancing protections for tenants, including those in student specific accommodation. Student Specific Accommodation (SSA) is under the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Student Specific Accommodation is housing built or designated for students and used for the sole purpose of providing residential accommodation to students during the academic term.

The Residential Tenancies Acts provide numerous protections for students residing in Student Specific Accommodation. Protections include, but are not limited to:

• Landlords must register all SSA tenancies with the RTB within 1 month of its commencement date and every year after this.
• Tenancies must be aligned to the traditional academic calendar (up to a maximum of 41 weeks).
• Landlords cannot seek or ask anyone to pay more than the equivalent of 2 months' rent in total to secure a tenancy (meaning one month’s rent and one month’s deposit).
• A student can terminate a tenancy by means of a 28 days’ notice period between 1 May and 1 October in any year, whether or not there has been failure by the landlord/licensor to comply with any obligations of the tenancy.
• Rent increases are capped at a maximum of 2% in Rent Pressure Zones where general inflation is higher.

The RTB provides a confidential dispute resolution service. Investigations can commence based on information received from a member of the public. A student or a member of the public with specific concerns regarding student specific accommodation can contact the RTB in the first instance to seek advice or register a complaint.

Further information can be found at www.rtb.ie. Students can contact the RTB on 0818 303037 at ssa@rtb.ie.