National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026 - 2035

The National Student Accommodation Strategy sets out a pathway to make higher education more accessible by addressing two critical challenges, accommodation affordability and accommodation supply and viability. It does so in the context of a projected requirement for approximately 42,000 student beds by 2035.

This projection includes an existing deficit of 15,000 beds which is currently contributing to unsustainably long commuting patterns for some students. Recognising the challenges faced in the wider housing market, the strategy also aims to meet the emerging demand of 42,000 without any additional recourse to the private rental sector.

The strategy is informed by the Short-Term Activation programme which has now concluded with development of almost 1,000 Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) beds in train supported by circa €110 million in NDP funding, with 30% of the beds provided at discounted rents to support affordability.