The University of Galway Students’ Union has released a new report highlighting the ongoing accommodation crisis and cost of living pressures facing students.
Titled Generation Emigration: A Call for Our Government to End the National Accommodation Crisis, the report is based on data from 1,710 students and outlines the challenges many face in securing affordable housing.
In collaboration with Sinn Féin TD Máiread Farrell, the Students’ Union will launch the report in Leinster House, inviting all current TDs to attend a special briefing on the issue.
Housing crisis is pushing students out
Students’ Union President Faye Ní Dhomhnaill stressed that the student housing crisis is not an isolated problem, but part of a larger national issue affecting young people across Ireland:
“It is easy to discount the student accommodation crisis and cost of living crisis and it’s impacts on young
people, writing it off as being part of the struggle of pursuing third level education. However, we have seen through similar reports compiled by UCCSU, USI, NUS-USI, and UCDSU, there are issues regarding accommodation across this island, and it’s time for our government to engage with Students’ Unions in the implementation of the National Student Accommodation Strategy.”
Lack of investment
The report highlights the shortage of purpose-built student accommodation, which has left thousands reliant on the private rental market, where rents continue to rise.
Students’ Union Vice President for Education, Tom Forde outlined the scale of the problem at University of Galway, where only 1,867 university-owned beds exist for 19,000 students:
“As the market continues to dwindle, offering less accommodation with each passing week, our students suffer. Ireland champions a young and educated work force but we continue to see figures like 68% of 18-34 year olds living with their parents. We found in our own report 12% of our students live at home. A lack of investment will lead to us losing our students who want to join the work force and further study in Ireland.”
Forde called on the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to work with Students’ Unions to prioritise student housing and recognise independent living as a right, not a privilege.
Next steps?
With the report now in the hands of policymakers, the Students’ Union hopes to push for concrete action to improve student accommodation nationwide.
The full report can be accessed here.
Emma van Oosterhout is the Editor in Chief of Student Independent News for 2025. She is a final year Global Media and History student at University of Galway. She is from Corofin, Co. Galway. Emma was previously a News Editor for the year 2023/24. Emma has written for SIN since 2023.