Minister Lawless approves funding for new student accommodation at UCD

5 September 2025

_{An impression of what the new on campus accommodation development at UCD could look like}

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD has announced the allocation of €67 million in state funding to enable University College Dublin to enter contract for the delivery of 493 new student on-campus accommodation beds.

This project is the second tranche of student beds delivered under the Irish Government’s €100 million Short-Term Activation Programme announced in 2022.

"This significant investment reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to making higher education more accessible,” said Minister Lawless.

“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," he added.

Speaking on the announcement, UCD President Professor Orla Feely said: “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.”

In line with programme requirements, thirty percent (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.

The new on-campus accommodation development at Belfield is scheduled to commence in October 2025.

By: Staff Writers

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