Shortfall of 39,000 student beds across Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway

The shortfall is expected to grow 

Computer generated image of the planned student apartment development by Bam on the former tax office site on Cork's Sullivan's Quay. Image: Pedersen Focus

The limited development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in recent years has led to a deficit of at least 38,900 bed spaces in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, according to research by Sherry FitzGerald.

At the end of 2025, the number of PBSA bed spaces in the State totalled 47,600. The number of full-time students in HEA-registered third-level institutes for the 2024/2025 academic year stood at 215,585.