4032. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to support integration between Maynooth University and the surrounding community, including transport links and student accommodation planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60110/26]

Maynooth University plays a vital role in the social, cultural and economic life of Maynooth, and I strongly support measures that strengthen the relationship between the university and the wider community.

While responsibility for local community planning, transport infrastructure and land-use planning rests primarily with local authorities, transport agencies and the university itself, my Department works closely with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and higher education institutions (HEIs) to support sustainable campus development and student wellbeing.

Maynooth University is served by a number of bus and nearby train routes that integrate the university with the surrounding community, as well as the wider county. The university undertakes an annual review of transport routes serving the campus to identify any required amendments to current routes, and to determine if additional routes are needed. Where updated routes are required, the university has previously engaged with transport providers to support the development of these routes.

The government's €100 million Short-Term Activation Programme (STAP) was developed as an immediate policy response to student accommodation shortages, with the first STAP project being completed at Maynooth University, delivering 116 new beds for the 2025/26 academic year. In total, the university operates c.1,300 on-campus Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) beds and actively promotes “digs” accommodation with local homeowners through its Residence Office, with 305 digs beds currently available for students.

In the broader national context, the Government’s National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 recognises the strong link between accommodation provision and commuting patterns. The Strategy encourages HEIs to use data-driven approaches to better understand student travel needs, support efficient commuting and promote the use of public and active transport.

In addition, the Strategy commits to the development of a pilot programme to enhance collaboration between HEIs, the National Transport Authority, local authorities and transport operators to improve sustainable transport options for students.