University Minister to Petition DCU for Reversal of Rise in Student Accommodation Fees
In a move to address the growing concern over student accommodation, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, has written to Dublin City University (DCU) regarding an increase in service charges at its student accommodations, calling it a 'rent hike' and unacceptable.
The President of Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLE), Bryan O'Mahony, has welcomed this move, stating that the cost of student accommodations has become unsustainable for many students, leading some to resort to insecure or unsuitable arrangements.
The issue of student accommodations has been a central topic in recent discussions. O'Mahony will tell politicians at the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education today that students in Ireland are facing a 'critical shortage' in publicly-funded, purpose-built student accommodations.
The Minister himself is engaged in intense discussions with Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe regarding the budget package for students and higher education. He has multiple Government commitments, including reducing the student contribution fee, increasing SUSI grants, increasing thresholds, and providing more student supports, including around the cost of accommodations.
However, O'Mahony calls for significant public investment in student accommodations, the introduction of rent caps for purpose-built student accommodations, and more supports for international students to prevent exploitation. He believes that the issue of private-built student accommodations raising service charges to get around rent pressure zones is a longstanding issue that needs to be addressed.
The situation is particularly dire for international students, who are often asked to pay several months' rent in advance or are forced into unsuitable or exploitative arrangements. Some international students have been found living in a 2-bedroom house in Co Limerick, having been misled by the landlord. Others commute up to four hours to and from campus everyday due to the lack of student accommodations.
Some students are resorting to couch surfing with friends or staying in hostels for weeks at the beginning of term. The Oireachtas committee hearings will resume today in line with the Dáil returning from its summer recess, with the student accommodation 'crisis' quickly becoming the 'single greatest barrier' to third-level students accessing and completing higher education.
AMLE represents over 300,000 students across Ireland, and their concerns are echoed by many. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, recognises the urgency of the situation, but cannot give any certainty until budget day. He is seeking measures on fees, student accommodations, and resources for the third level sector, but the institution requested by him to reverse the increase in fees for student dormitories was not explicitly named in the provided search results.
Despite these challenges, Lawless's letter to DCU is a step in the right direction, signalling a commitment to addressing the issues faced by students in Ireland. The upcoming Oireachtas committee hearings will provide an opportunity for further discussion and potential solutions to this pressing issue.
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