Some third-level students are flying from Donegal to Dublin to attend university lectures amid an accommodation crisis, the President of Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ) has said.
Bryan O'Mahony said a lack of affordable accommodation has become a hinderance to students opting for the courses that they want, while some are working up to three jobs to afford rent.
AMLÉ, formerly the Union of Students in Ireland, is the national representative body for students in Ireland and represents over 300,000 students across the island.
Speaking ahead of an appearance at the Oireachtas Committee on Higher Education, Mr O'Mahony said: "Student accommodation has been an ongoing issue in this country but now it's reached crisis levels.
"We've had student numbers increasing year after year after year without the student accommodation system to match it.
"We’ve unregulated dig systems; students left to the private market - investment is needed in public-built student accommodation now."
Mr O’Mahony said the shortage in affordable accommodation has led to some students embarking on lengthy commutes every day in order to study in Dublin.
He said: "What we’re seeing now is students no longer going after the courses they want, they have to be conscious of the location.
"The student life is starting to erode - people living near campus and being able to engage in clubs and societies are starting to die off as well.
"Students are working multiple jobs in order just to afford rent just to get the degree at the end.
"The feeling of belonging has left campus and now students are just trying to get the degree and get out the door.
"Beyond a place to stay, I’ve heard students flying from Donegal into Dublin, commuting three hours a day at least, all of that travel and commitment, how are they actually meant to dedicate their time to study?"
Earlier, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said he was seeking measures on student accommodation, fees and resources for the third-level sector, but that he could not provide any certainty until Budget day in three weeks’ time.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Minister Lawless said: "I'm involved in intense discussions with ministers (Jack) Chambers and (Paschal) Donohoe.
"Tomorrow morning I'm in the (Department of) Public expenditure next door to us having another round of intense engagements and negotiations.
"I'm seeking the biggest possible Budget package for students, for higher education, and when, I suppose, when those negotiations are closed, I will know what's available to me, and then I know what I can distribute around the system.
"But I'm acutely aware I met student unions. There are multiple government commitments. Commitment includes reducing the student contribution fee. It includes increasing Suzie grants. Includes increasing thresholds. It includes more student supports, including around the cost of accommodation."
Mr O’Mahony told the Oireachtas committee this afternoon that the accommodation crisis is quickly becoming the "single greatest barrier" to third-level students accessing and completing higher education.
He said many students are turning to "insecure or unsuitable arrangements" such as couch surfing with friends or staying in hostels for weeks at the beginning of term.
Some students rely on "unregulated digs" or the rent-a-room scheme in order to secure a place to live during the term, he said.
Mr O’Mahony told the committee that international students are "particularly vulnerable", highlighting the case of 18 international students whom this past weekend were all found to be living in a 2-bedroom house in Co Limerick.
He called for significant public investment in student accommodation, for affordability to be addressed by the introduction of rent caps for purpose-built student accommodation and for more supports for international students to prevent exploitation.
Minister to ask DCU to reverse student accommodation service charge increase
Minister Lawless has said he will write to DCU about an increase in service charges at its student accommodation, calling it a rent hike and unacceptable.
He said that it might be "within the letter of the law, but I don't think it's in the spirit of the law.
"These are publicly funded institutions. We have a student accommodation challenge, and I'm trying to increase that (accommodation) around the country through a number of measures, and I'm not pleased to see that. I call this hiking up rents in that way, I'll be using a loophole. I will be writing to the institution concerned, asking them to reverse that decision," he said.
A spokesperson for DCU said the cost of services and utilities reflected market conditions, and were not set by the university.
The spokesperson said the service charge that DCU recently expanded covered electricity, gas, waste disposal as well as maintenance and security.
They said: "Dublin City University offers the most affordable on-campus accommodation in Dublin, with rents that are typically 30%-40% below market rates.
"The university is very aware of the financial pressures faced by students and their families."
