Written answer
Student Accommodation
Government’s short-term programme targets 967 student beds, with 30% below-market, while a phased national accommodation strategy supports further PBSA development.
4193. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of public funding allocated and expended on student accommodation projects since 2020; the number of bed spaces delivered under each project; the anticipated completion date of all approved projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55943/26]
Comment on this
My Department is progressing both short and longer term student accommodation policy responses.
The Short-Term Activation Programme aims to support the delivery of around 967 student accommodation beds. In line with the programme's requirements, 30% of all bed spaces provided will be reserved at below-market rates for priority student groups identified under the National Access Plan (NAP).
The table below outlines the Short-Term Activation Programme projects that are at various stage of development process:
* The total project cost cannot be disclosed at this time due to commercial confidentiality constraints associated with the ongoing pre-tender process.
Furthermore, in March, I published the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035, which sets out a framework for the development of a national student accommodation programme. Work on this programme is currently underway, supported by the Higher Education Authority and the National Development Finance Agency.
This programme is designed to increase the supply of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) available to Technological Universities by enabling private developers to deliver accommodation on or near campus. The programme will support such developments through mechanisms including nomination agreements, site licensing arrangements, and the provision of site servicing works.
The programme will be delivered in a series of phases starting with Cork, Dublin and Galway and quickly followed by Waterford, Limerick and Athlone and subsequently Tralee, Carlow, Sligo, Letterkenny and nationwide thereafter. All projects will be subject to market response and HEI approval.