The Irish Higher Education Minister, Patrick O’Donovan, has been appealed to by the Association of Study Abroad Providers Ireland (Asapi) to enact new legislation to ensure student housing leases align with the academic year. Asapi, a coalition supporting around 30 educational institutions, applauds the Government’s pledge to introduce this law before the summer break.
However, Asapi fears a proposed extension of lease periods by private landlords catering to students could pose a significant risk to the £220 million sector providing around 350 direct jobs. Additionally, Asapi urges the Minister to address broader issues linked with housing for overseas study students amidst a critical scarcity of student accommodation and a surge in demand from international learners looking to study in Ireland.
Considering the majority of students only need housing for the duration of the university year, which usually lasts 39 to 41 weeks, extending leases doesn’t sit well.
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on higher education, Mairéad Farrell, places the blame for the current predicament on Taoiseach Simon Harris, the preceding Minister. She believes he failed to handle student housing effectively and accuses him of placing the study abroad sector in hot water by enabling predatory financial firms to push for 51-week leases, despite the academic year only being 39 weeks.
Adding to the argument, Asapi co-chair Darragh O’Briain warned the proposal could hurt a number of companies in Ireland that collaborate with American colleges to offer semester-long and summer slots. The switch to 51-week leases and perpetual room shortages has compelled some firms to reject US business this year, said O’Briain who is also the Dublin head of study-abroad provider CEA Capa.
Asapi co-chair Claire McGowan said, “Universities and parents will hesitate to send their students overseas if they’re unsure about securing accommodation, or if they find the costs have significantly increased.”
Frequently, firms in the sector play the role of obtaining short-term student accommodation for their clients and act as brokers for these services which they occasionally sublease to other providers of study-abroad solutions, as per demand.
Karl Dowling, the housing officer at Asapi and the co-founder and COO of Big Pond Education, recognises the system as flawed and challenging. However, he confirms their determination to cooperate and assist each other despite these difficulties. Nonetheless, Dowling warns that a universal switch to 51-week leases would critically jeopardise the industry leading to a significant hike in accommodation expenses for providers.
Simon Harris, during his closing remarks as Minister for Higher Education, promised legislative measures aimed at upholding lease duration before the summer break. This action has been greeted favourably by Mr. O’Briain from Asapi.
O’Briain commented on the unregulated condition of the housing market which had permitted landlords to dictate the market. In his opinion, private student landlords were making substantial profits. He emphasised the urgent need for rigorous implementation of the legislation, followed by negotiations with stakeholders in their regard.