The Irish Government has been criticised for failing to deliver sufficient 'affordable' student accommodation.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education, Thomas Byrne TD, hit out at the Government and claimed an increasing number of students are "unable to meet basic accommodation costs".

"The reality is that much of the new student accommodation is being built privately and rented out at exorbitant rates," he said.

"The average going rate for student accommodation is now €1,400. Such rents are not affordable for a person working, let alone a student who has a much reduced income."

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Continuing, Deputy Byrne said students in Shanowen in Santry have been hit with a 50% increase in rent, which follows a 30% increase on last year.

"Students in Cúirt na Coirbe in Galway have also been hit with a massive increase in rents which has resulted in many families questioning whether they can afford to return their child to college in September," he said.

"The Government has rejected proposals put forward by Fianna Fáil to prevent unreasonable rental increases for students. We have put forward a Bill to extend Rent Pressure Zones to student accommodation. The Government should accept this proposal instead of clapping itself on the back for presiding over a situation where students are being forced out of accommodation due to exorbitant rent increases."

(LM)