A UL student’s representative has described a multi-million euro fund announced to address the country’s serious” shortage of student accommodation, as only ‘a drop in the water’ to solve the accommodation crisis.
The Higher Education Minister this week announced over 2,000 new students beds over the next five years.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris yesterday announced that 2,700 new student beds will be created in low cost housing.
This low price accommodation will cost €434 million to the state, including a €200 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
It’s the first time the state will be able to invest in student housing, with universities previously having to fund accommodation themselves.
The University of Galway President, Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, believes there needs to be subsidised accommodation available for students receiving aid grants.
The most recent Higher Education Authority report states the demand for beds will grow to nearly 193,000 by next year.
President of University of Limerick Student Life, Ronan Cahill, says students currently without accommodation need beds urgently.
You can listen to the full interview below.
