Ireland
UK
Scotland
London
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to advance the delivery of thousands of additional third-level student beds under the Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme (HSAP).
Phase 1A of the programme could deliver up to 3,300 new on-campus bed spaces and also underpin substantial additional off-campus capacity. The initiative forms a core part of the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035, aimed at expanding purpose-built student housing, improving access to higher education, and supporting vibrant student communities nationwide.
Two distinct EOIs have been issued in this initial phase. The first covers potential on-campus accommodation projects at Technological University Dublin (Grangegorman), Munster Technological University (Cork), Atlantic Technological University (Galway), and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. The second seeks proposals for off-campus sites close to Higher Education Institutions in Cork, Galway and Dublin. Further phases are planned for additional locations in the coming months.
Across the four on-campus locations cited in Phase 1A, indicative capacity ranges have been identified: Atlantic Technological University Galway (416–472), Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (190–276), Munster Technological University Cork (940–1,184), and Technological University Dublin Grangegorman/on lands owned by the Grangegorman Development Agency (1,200–1,400).
The EOI seeks market feedback on appetite and readiness, prospective development, funding and operational structures, and any barriers to delivery. It will also help determine which sites are most viable. Site assessments have been provided for each of the four on-campus locations to support detailed submissions. In addition, respondents are asked to indicate the extent to which student accommodation could be provided at or below market rent, to inform refined delivery models and any potential future competitive process.
Announcing the call, Minister Lawless said: "The availability of affordable student accommodation remains one of the key challenges facing students and their families. Through the Higher Education Institution Student Accommodation Programme, we are working closely with the relevant sectors to support the delivery of additional beds, to ensure that students can access and participate in higher education, regardless of where they live.
"The publication of these Expressions of Interest is an important step towards establishing a pipeline of viable projects that can help address student accommodation needs across the country.
"We have consulted extensively with stakeholders over recent months, and I encourage those with the vision and capacity to deliver high-quality student accommodation to engage with this important opportunity. The insights provided will be invaluable in informing ambitious proposals that can make a real difference for students.
"I would like to acknowledge and thank Programme Board members, including the National Development Finance Agency, the Higher Education Authority and representatives of HEIs and the Grangegorman Development Agency, for their commitment and leadership in advancing this important EOI initiative."
The invitation to submit EOIs was issued to the market on Friday, 30 October via the eTenders portal and the Official Journal of the European Union. Further information is available at: ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/760904-2026
The HSAP is overseen by a Programme Board comprising the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority, the National Development Finance Agency, and representatives from the Grangegorman Development Agency and the higher education sector. The EOIs are non-binding and intended solely for market engagement; they are not part of any public procurement or concession award process, do not constitute a call for competition, and do not commit the Department or HEIs to proceed with any subsequent transaction, procurement, development or arrangement.
