Minister Lawless approves €67 million in funding to build 493 new student accommodation beds at UCD

Minister for Further and Higher, Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD announced today the allocation of €67 million in state funding to enable UCD to enter contract for the delivery of 493 new student accommodation beds.

This project is the second tranche of beds delivered under the €100 million Short-Term Activation Programme announced in 2022. In line with programme requirements, 30% of the newly built beds are being made available for use by students in National Access Plan priority groupings or categories of students eligible for support via SUSI at a discounted rate of rent.

Speaking today, Minister Lawless said: “This significant investment reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to making higher education more accessible. By supporting the development of new student accommodation at UCD, we are helping to meet the growing demand for student housing, while also investing in a long-term solution that ensures students from all backgrounds have access to affordable, high-quality places to live today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

UCD President Professor Orla Feely added: “This Government funding towards the next development phase of on-campus accommodation at Belfield is a significant milestone in the provision of much-needed places to match rising demand year after year, and importantly, it will support UCD in providing on-campus accommodation to those students in most need.”

This project follows on from 116 beds at Buckley House, Maynooth University the first student accommodation project approved under the Short-Term Activation Programme. Buckley House is now completed and ready to welcome students for the upcoming academic year 2025/2026.