The Government plans to deliver an extra 42,000 student beds over the next nine years by using public-private partnerships and spare rooms in private homes, reports RTE.
These proposals form part of a newly published strategy for student accommodation, reports RTE.
The plan includes the creation of 10,000 additional student places through ‘digs’ provided by private households.
Another 32,000 places are to be developed by private firms on campus lands through public-private partnerships, meaning the private sector will build and run the facilities on land owned by higher education institutions, reports RTE.
The national students’ union AMLÉ criticised the strategy, expressing dissatisfaction with the approach.
“AMLÉ’s position is and always has been that the solution to the student housing crisis is significant public investment into state owned and HEI run purpose-built student accommodation, reports RTE.
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless defended the use of such partnerships, noting that there are competing demands on public funding.
“It is appropriate that we use every lever,” he said, reports RTE.
He added that sites in Dublin, Cork and Galway will be prioritised initially, followed by locations in Limerick, Waterford and Athlone.
Outlining a plan without yearly delivery targets, he said, “we will run expressions of interest, open it up to the market and gauge that interest”, reports RTE.
He also stated his intention to move forward with delivery as quickly as possible.
A three-year rent protection period will apply to purpose-built student accommodation, although there will be no controls on rents set by private providers, reports RTE.
“The universities will enter into an agreement with the accommodation providers. They are free to negotiate an agreement,” Mr Lawless said.
The strategy also introduces measures allowing technological universities to borrow funds for the construction of student housing for the first time.
This step has long been sought by the sector, reports RTE.
State funding will be provided to help universities prepare sites and carry out feasibility studies, although the minister did not specify an exact figure, describing it as “significant”.
Regarding digs accommodation, AMLÉ Regional Officer Daniel Walsh said: “If there is to be increased reliance on digs, a renter’s rights bill needs to be introduced, reports RTE.
However, the plan does not include such legislation, instead proposing a communications campaign to encourage homeowners to offer digs.
The Irish Universities Association said its members are committed to increasing the availability of purpose-built student accommodation, reports RTE.
“The challenge of providing affordable accommodation is a serious wider societal concern, affecting students and young people across the country,” it said.
“Addressing it effectively will require coordinated action and innovative funding approaches that balance affordability for students with the financial realities of developing and maintaining new accommodation, reports RTE.
Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has submitted a memo to Government aimed at reducing regulatory barriers for Irish companies involved in defence-related work.
The proposal would remove the need for the IDA to obtain Government approval before engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises connected to the defence sector, reports RTE.
Mr Burke is seeking to amend the Science and Technology Act 1987, which he views as limiting firms producing dual-use technologies.
He said this is particularly relevant in sectors such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and space systems where Irish businesses have developed expertise, reports RTE.
He believes the change would open up new opportunities for Irish firms as EU countries increase defence spending.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers is also bringing forward two proposals to Cabinet aimed at accelerating key infrastructure projects.
The first involves a circular introducing reforms for public bodies overseeing housing, energy, water and transport projects, reports RTE.
These reforms will include firm timelines, clearer guidance and the use of parallel processes where possible.
A second circular will establish a coordinated Government response to court rulings that may affect infrastructure developments, reports RTE.
It will involve senior officials and the Office of the Attorney General meeting promptly after such judgments to determine next steps.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin updated Cabinet colleagues on growing cooperation with the UK following the second annual UK-Ireland 2030 Summit held in Cork earlier this month.
The summit focused on areas including energy security, the transition to clean energy, protection of subsea infrastructure, cybersecurity and competitiveness, reports RTE.
A new group led by the Department of the Taoiseach and the UK Cabinet Office has been established to monitor progress on the summit’s objectives.
Minister for Housing James Browne also informed Cabinet that terms of reference have been agreed for a comprehensive review of the Office of the Planning Regulator.
This review will examine the future role of the office and how it can better support the rapid delivery of housing and infrastructure, reports RTE.
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