Senator Seery Kearney has welcomed the publication of the long-term student accommodation plan by Minister Simon Harris. The plan commits funding for universities to build student accommodation, repurpose vacant buildings for housing and the continued promotion of digs for homeowners and students.
Crucially, the plan confirms applications for student accommodation projects from the five Technological Universities are now open. Senator Seery Kearney: “Housing is our greatest challenge and Fine Gael is determined to deliver housing for all. “This new policy confirms the Government will invest in the building of student accommodation across the country. “This plan commits to building student accommodation in the regions, in towns across this country.
“Fine Gael has led the Technological University agenda, placing universities in towns across the country. “Now we take it to the next phase ensuring they have student housing on site. This will encourage more people to stay in their regions and could attract students across the country to come study in towns like Dublin.”
Each Technological University will now be written to and asked for plans by the end of March. Under this new student accommodation policy; The Government will fund the construction of purpose built student accommodation; Technological Universities to be enabled to build student accommodation in regions across the country; Funding will be provided to repurpose vacant properties into housing for students; Funding will be provided on basis a portion of beds will be ringfenced for students with a household income of €100,000. And continued support of the digs scheme with local authority and medical card changes to come into effect.
Speaking recently, Minister Harris said: “I am delighted to confirm Government has agreed a long-term policy on student accommodation. “This policy will help increase the supply of student housing in campuses across the country but will also help prevent students competing with families for private rental accommodation. “This vision and policy will inform a new Student Accommodation Policy, which will be published later this year.”
