Sinn Féin spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, Mairéad Farrell TD, has welcomed the UCD Students Union annual Student Accommodation Report (2024), which was published today.

The report found that there was a noticeable increase in students paying more that €750 per month for accommodation, and that there is now a two-tier student experience for students when it comes to those rent versus those who don’t.

Teachta Farrell said this report was more evidence that the student housing crisis continues to get worse and that the government has no solutions.
 
Teachta Farrell stated:
 
“First off, I want to commend UCDSU on this detailed report with an impressive survey sample size of 1,886 respondents, making it very representative of the UCD student population.

“Unfortunately, the report’s contents make for rather grim reading.

“The rise in the numbers paying more that €750 has increased again. Last year the number of students whose rent was over €750 was two thirds, and that has now increased to three quarters.

“What is especially striking in the report is the emergence of the two-tier experience for those who are renting versus those living at home.

“It’s hardly a surprise that 7 out of 10 students renting said they won’t be supporting parties or TDs who don’t support UCDSU’s calls for housing reform.”
 
Teachta Farrell concluded:
 
“This government has no plans to tackle the student crisis. I’ve lost count of all the big announcement and re-announcements that went absolutely nowhere.

“The real delivery model was vulture funds, and like the wider housing market, they have wreaked havoc on affordability for students.

“The report calls for proper regulation of the digs accommodation sector. My Bill which is due to proceed to Committee stage needs to be supported and fast tracked.

“Unfortunately, I get the sense that with the election looming, the government is only pretending to support my Bill, hoping that there’s an election before it ever reaches the statue books.”