Ministers to announce plan to develop design standard for purpose built student accommodation

PLANS for design standards for purpose built student accommodation are to be announced today. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD today will announce their joint plan to develop design standards for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in Ireland.

The government recently committed €62 million to delivering 1,100 student accommodation beds.

The Residential Construction Cost Study, which was published by Minister O’Brien in May of this year, recommends the development of a standardised specification for purpose built student accommodation. 

The first step will involve a study to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to establish appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "Minister O'Brien and I, along with our officials, are committed to increasing the supply of student accommodation. This work is vital to that."

The disused military barracks in Castlebar were mooted for student accommodation last October.

Department of Higher & Further education officials have met with ATU and Mayo County Council representatives to discuss the proposal to repurpose the building, which closed as a working army barracks in 2012.

The proposal is being considered in more detail through the TU Feasibility Study, which has been started by the department and the Higher Education Authority.

The barracks was earmarked for €11 million in URDF funding, which was to also cover the refurbishment of the Imperial Hotel - none of which has been drawn down by Mayo County Council.

"Housing for All commits to the development of Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Ireland as part of the broader strategy towards overall diversification and, particularly in this case, the increased availability and affordability of rental stock," said Minister O'Brien.

"The Residential Construction Cost Study identified significant approach differences between Ireland and Europe with respect to PBSA. Standardised design and specification are more prominent in Europe.

"This new PBSA study will interrogate how increased standardisation of design and specification can maximise delivery and affordability in Ireland. As such, it is a key component of Government’s broader strategy to deliver across all tenures and housing types under Housing for All."

The project will commence immediately with the appointment of a cross-departmental project group chaired by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science followed by a request for tender for an expert consultant to undertake the study.