The amount of purpose built student accommodation provided by universities in Ireland remains very low, according to Sinn Féin.

Spokesperson Dessie Ellis is urging the government work work more closely with universities to provide a strategy for housing students.

Deputy Ellis said: "This is a problem we face every year and it is a difficult one which requires a tailored approach. Students generally do not need their housing year round, so the private market is poorly equipped to provide for them. The many thousands of students hoping to live in Dublin and other large towns and cities will be putting extra pressure on the rental market and this can lead to higher rents.

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"In the context of a wider housing shortage, this could mean an increase in homelessness which is already growing at an alarming rate with 1000 children in emergency accommodation.

"The amount of purpose built student accommodation provided by universities is very low. The government need to sit down with Universities and draw up a strategy which will support the provision of affordable, secure and adequate student housing which is near to campus or regular transport routes."

(CD/MH)