The call was made following the recent results of Leaving Certificates across the country amid the ongoing housing crisis.
Labour Senator Annie Hoey called on the Minister to outline his plans for affordable accommodation and ease the worry for students beginning the next phase of their lives.
"The last thing any student or family needs to add to their list of concerns is the extortionate price of student accommodation," said Senator Hoey. "Third level education, especially when it is distant from home has moved out of reach for too many students because of rental costs and the exorbitant costs of fees- now the highest in Europe.
"The Minister needs to work with his colleague the Minister for Housing and examine the possibility of imposing a blanket rent freeze on purpose build student accommodation in the third level institutions throughout the country. Media reports outline that institutions like Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick are increasing costs in line with rent pressure zones – surely this can be bypassed to make education more accessible to all.
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"Students and their families are under enough financial pressure this year without being forced to pay for accommodation that they may not need. Many of them have had their incomes significantly reduced due to the financial effects of the pandemic and many of the usual part time jobs that students take during the summer are only now coming back on stream.
"The SUSI grant system also needs a rethink by the Minister. My office has been inundated with contact from students who are worried about the late payment of the first instalment of the grant this year – October 8th. In a year where seasonal work was unprecedently interrupted, students deserve better than this from the Minister. Before the pandemic, SUSI grants were already not enough to cover basic costs of living. The delayed payment will only add further worries to families at this already stressful time.
"The Minister needs to ensure the financial supports in place are comprehensive and ensure no student does not take on a learning opportunity due to the housing crisis or financial difficulty. The Programme for Government commits to reviewing SUSI eligibility and adjacency rates, something the Labour Party has called for over a number of years. The Minister needs to tell us what it will involve and when he will carry that out."
