'Severe' lack of student accommodation has made couch surfing and dropping out a reality

Some college-goers are skipping meals and not turning on heating, says students' union

University College Cork’s Students’ Union has urged the Government to address the accommodation crisis. Picture: Denis Minihane

The shortage of student accommodation and excessive rents are leading to “increasing desperation” among students with some skipping meals and not turning on heating, according to University College Cork’s Students’ Union (UCCSU).

UCCSU urged the Government to address the accommodation crisis at the launch of its tenancy rights campaign on Wednesday with housing charity Threshold, designed to inform student renters of their rights.