The Government is looking at ways to encourage more people to provide accommodation for students in their own homes.
Minister for Higher Education Patrick O'Donovan said this is the quickest way to deliver accommodation in the immediate future.
This is because the building of places for students to live takes time and requires planning permission.
"I will be looking for continued supports for those people that are providing accommodation in their own homes and as well as that, direct supports for students who are traveling to and from college," he said.
Asked if the upcoming Budget might include enhanced supports for those offering digs accommodation for students, the minister said he was "ruling nothing out".
He also spoke of his hope that the Budget will give financial certainty to more universities planning to build student accommodation.
His comments come as almost 57,000 applicants received an offer of a college place from the CAO.
Earlier this month, student union bodies from five of the largest third-level institutions in Dublin joined forces for the first time to help tackle what they say is a continuing crisis in student accommodation.
Organisers have said they are launching a 'digs drive' due to the "chronic shortage of rental accommodation" in the capital putting the "pursuit of education and the on-campus student experience of a growing number of prospective and returning students at risk".
