Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)

I wish to acknowledge the important role that digs accommodation plays in providing accommodation for students. I am very proud that Limerick is a wonderful university city with the University of Limerick, the Technological University of the Shannon, the Mary Immaculate campus and the art college, among others, all based in Limerick city. Students are a vibrant and welcome addition to the Limerick population and provide value to Limerick and its surroundings. Digs are an important source of accommodation for students. It is generally cheaper than other rental accommodation options when they exist, either on campus or off campus. In many cases we hear of wonderful bonds being formed between the host family and the student.

Aside from the financial cost of rent, for many parents of new students having their young adult beginning a college experience in digs offers a level of peace of mind. They may not be able to afford a more independent sort of rent. Without the availability of digs accommodation, many more students would struggle to find accommodation. As we know, there is a lack of affordable or available rental properties in the Limerick area. At this time of year my office normally begins fielding calls from students and their families who are desperately seeking accommodation. Along with Deputy Mairéad Farrell, we recently met UL, Mary I and TUS students regarding the accommodation crisis students in Limerick often experience.

For students, digs are more affordable than other options. The average cost of digs accommodation in Limerick is €150 per week, accompanied by an affordable deposit. Renting on campus can be quite expensive with on-campus accommodation in UL starting at €5,343 in a shared eight-bedroom unit with a €450 deposit for the academic year. Appreciating this, however, there remains an absence of regulation on this type of accommodation. Regulation is needed to protect not just the student renter but also the householder providing the accommodation. Without a level of regulation, there is no protection for renters from overnight eviction. There is no protection against potentially prohibitive house rules regarding facilities and kitchen access. There is no protection for students who may wish to lock the door of their own room.

The vast majority of providers of digs accommodation do not operate in such a manner but there are some who do and a protection must be put in place against bad practices. Those offering rent-a-room accommodation can avail of up to €14,000 in tax relief with the average savings in 2018 of €2,100. With such a subsidy, there must be an obligation to protect these student renters. Householders want to formalise arrangements, as do students. The Bill offers simple protection such as access to a rent book, minimum notice period, a right for students to lock the bedroom door, recourse for both parties to the RTB and the right of householders to have recourse for property damage, late rent payments and antisocial behaviour at the property. Students and digs providers need affordability and security. Other rental options are not affordable or in sufficient stock in Limerick.

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