Call for zero-Vat rating for student housing

Tax breaks are needed on the construction of student accommodation to help attract more overseas students, a university president has told the Government.

University College Cork president Dr Michael Murphy said the benefits of applying the same zero-Vat already in place for social housing to building student facilities would extend into the wider economy.

He made his remarks to Taoiseach Enda Kenny at last weekend’s opening of UCC’s Beaufort Building, the new €15m home in Cork harbour to 135 marine and renewable energy researchers.