Ó An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
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On 29 November 2022, the Government approved a new policy to help create more accommodation for students in public higher education institutions (colleges and universities).
The goal is to make sure that priority-group students attending colleges and universities in Ireland can find affordable places to live while they study. This policy is the first time the State will provide money to build accommodation on campus, which also supports the Government's Housing for All plan.
The policy aims to make it easier for student groups to find affordable accommodation. It wants to help students who need it the most and make sure the costs are affordable.
To help with the accommodation needs in the short term, the Government has a plan to make affordable accommodation available for students at these colleges:
So far, up to 1,100 beds have been approved. The priority is finishing projects that already have permission to be built but have been delayed because of higher construction costs. The Department is also talking with University College Cork, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin to see if there are any projects that already have planning permission that can be started.
The policy will also help technological universities (TUs) to prepare and develop student accommodation. The Government has given €1 million for 2023 and 2024 to help TUs create assessments and plan for their accommodation needs. Any borrowing framework would first prioritise providing student accommodation, in line with Housing for All.
Higher education institutions are still helping students find places to live in the private rental market. This includes encouraging students to rent rooms or live with families in digs.
The policy also considers using empty buildings and making them useful for student accommodation. The Department is looking into expanding the Capital Devolved Grant to help with building or renovating accommodation.
A long-term plan is being developed to find solutions to the student accommodation situation. This plan will use data and evidence to decide its measures. It is expected to be finished between April and June of 2023.