Student accommodation crisis stopping people pursuing third-level education, committee told

The programme for government has committed to developing a multi-annual plan to urgently deliver new student accommodation, including through State-financed purpose-built student accommodation on public or private lands.

The accommodation crisis is stopping people from studying at third level, and it is threatening the future of Ireland’s knowledge economy, academics have warned.

Students are also dropping out from their courses because they have nowhere affordable to live, the Oireachtas committee on education, further, and higher education heard.

This “inequity” must end, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) president Vincent Cunnane said.

“Denying our students cannot continue. We must give all students an equal chance to progress," he added.

Some 53 building projects have been submitted by the technological colleges and universities, which would provide up to 6,000 beds.

State-owned land ready for development has been identified by the technological institutions, but developing it is expensive and requires significant funding.

Borrowing rights

Unlike the university sector, the technological education sector has not had the same borrowing rights, the Oireachtas committee heard.

Money and State backing is now urgently needed, the Oireachtas committee was told.

Maggie Cusack, the president of Munster Technological University (MTU), said that land has been identified for potential student accommodation development in Cork and Kerry.

The university has 18,000 students and 2,000 staff and makes an annual economic impact of almost €1b. However, it has none of its own accommodation.

“I’ve seen students really struggle with the housing crisis and lack of affordable and suitable accommodation,” Prof Cusack told the Oireachtas committee.

“I believe this has become the number one concern for students and a critical issue for equity of access, student wellbeing, and the future of Ireland’s knowledge economy.” 

The programme for government has committed to developing a multi-annual plan to urgently deliver new student accommodation, including through State-financed purpose-built student accommodation on public or private lands.

It also stated it would enable technological universities to borrow funds to provide for on-campus student accommodation.

“Policy must now follow through on its commitments for our students, society, and economy, and address external factors, including the national housing crisis and our climate targets,” Prof Cusack said.