Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill accuses landlords of 'gorging' on student rents

Tipperary Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill has said that the parents of third level students are being placed under severe financial pressure as a result of rocketing accommodation prices in cities across the country.

“We’re now coming towards the end of the academic year, and the parents of third level students have been forking out large sums of money to rent rooms in cities such as Limerick, Galway, Cork and Dublin,” he said.

Deputy Cahill said that in some cases, students in Dublin were being charged over €700 per month for a room in a shared house. Campus accommodation can be well in excess of €6,000 for the academic year.

In other cities, students were being charged well over €400 and in some cases, €500 per month.

“Families who are not eligible for a SUSI grant are paying for this accommodation and all of the other costs associated with going to college out of their own pocket. There is a concern that these costs will increase next year,” said Deputy Cahill.

he said that it was disturbing to note that out of term, the cost of rent in many student accommodation units dropped by as much as 40 per cent.

“It appears that landlords are gorging on students, and it’s just not fair on them or their parents. They are being forced to take on more hours in part time jobs to pay for rent which can only distract from their studies. It’s not sustainable in the long run,” said Deputy Cahill.