Midlands Students At Wits End Over Accommodation Shortage

Tuesday, 5 March 2024 at 08:21

Funding was approved by the Government to allow TUs to build additional housing in 2022.

Student accommodation seems to be almost "non-existent" according to a midlands student union.

Funding was approved by the Government to allow Technological Universities to borrow to build additional housing for their students in 2022.

However, large numbers of students are either being forced to commute or are deferring their course.

TUS student union president, Amelia Lown, says speaking about the issue is no good without action:

Longford Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has called on Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris to take urgent action to assist TUs and speed up the process.

Deputy Troy says "It's abundantly clear that more student accommodation is needed,"

"The development of housing on TU campuses would not only help students who are struggling to find accommodation to attend college, but it would also add supply to the housing stock across the country.

"Progress is proving to be too slow on these plans to develop accommodation on TU sites. The Minister must take action."