Students have been in touch with me, and, I would imagine, most Deputies in this House about accommodation. Planning for the year ahead, they face very difficult choices about whether they will need accommodation because lectures are moving online. In Dublin, there are additional restrictions for universities and third level institutions.

NUI Galway has confirmed that any student registered to stay in university-owned accommodation will now be entitled to a full refund if he or she decides not to go ahead with the booking because there is a less of a need to spend time on campus. This needs to happen across the board and every third level institution must say the same to students who are potentially booking or have booked accommodation. Otherwise, there will be a rip-off.

Will the Government ensure the appropriate Minister will communicate to all third level institutions that they must do the same as NUI Galway and ensure third level students do not have to pay for accommodation that they will not use?

I have a related question.

It is not normal to intervene when a party leader is asking the question. I will come to the Deputy.

I agree with the Deputy and when colleges have accommodation, particularly when it is under their control, it should be an asset for the student body and not a revenue source. It must be part of the flexible solutions that must apply in how third level institutions are managed in this time. Where colleges have accommodation, they have been requested to try to show flexibility in its use. Several of them are doing so and others are constrained by students having already booked accommodation. It would be desirable for private operators to show the same flexibility but it is not within the remit of the Department to issue an instruction for the market. I agree that where colleges can do so, we should be showing flexibility and that must be part of an overall solution.