Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1374. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with TUS, Athlone in relation to student accommodation for the upcoming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/23]
View answerIn November 2022, the Government confirmed approval for a new policy led by my Department, to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions. This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
Investment of €1m in 2023/2024 has also been announced to support the TUs in conducting activation feasibility assessments to ascertain student accommodation needs in campus locations. This will include data led projections of demand and engagement with local authorities to examine potential vacant stock. I met with the Chairs of the TUs on the 24th of January. Department officials then met with the TU sector, including Technological University of the Shannon, on the 23th of February to progress the objectives of the feasibility study and establish the data and engagement needs from the TUs in this process. I am meeting Professor Cunnane this week on the matter.
DFHERIS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are now commencing this study, with phase 1 of the work is to understand the regional supply and projected demand for student accommodation to inform appropriate policy responses.
The Department recognises that given the varying regional locations, a range of accommodation options will need to be considered including purpose built student accommodation.
My Department is working with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for the Technological University (TU) sector. The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the HFA to institutions of higher education, including TUs. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
My Department is supporting increased usage of ‘digs’ accommodation through the Rent-a-Room Scheme. Department officials have been engaging with the sector and have met with a number of HEIs, including TUS Athlone in relation to digs accommodation.
The Government has approved the extension of the Rent a Room scheme income disregard for social welfare recipients and medical card holders. The changes approved will also allow Local Authority tenants to access the scheme. Work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes.
The scheme provides a tax exemption for homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income. The Government will launch a national media campaign to promote awareness of and participation in the scheme, targeted in particular at homeowners. This campaign will be run in tandem with localised campaigns led by the higher education institutions.
