A DONEGAL senator is
supporting calls from the Union of Students in
Ireland (USI) for a task force on student
accommodation to be established.
Senator Pearse Doherty said students should not be
forced to decide which college to attend solely on
the basis of the price of accommodation.
"There's a critical housing shortage in Ireland in
general, which is having a very obvious negative
affect on students. While the student grant has
increased in recent years rent has increased at a
much higher level, leading to further difficulties
for students whose biggest worries should be on
their studies," said the Sinn Féin senator.
"I want to support the students’ call for a task
force on student accommodation to be established. At
the very least the grant for students must increase
at a rate equal to the increase in rents."
Senator Doherty said provision should be made for
purpose-built student accommodation around the
country.
"The Government especially need to target areas
where there is an acute shortage of affordable
rental accommodation near a college.
“Student rent must be affordable, accommodation
should not entail students literally living on top
of each other – they need adequate space to study
and live in reasonable comfort and there must be
tight regulations concerning landlords," he added. |
