Galway students to sleep-out over lack of accommodation

Galway university students are set to sleep in the streets to highlight the lack of appropriate housing, as the new academic year approaches. This protest comes as thousands of students are preparing to return to their college courses at the two universities in Galway. Student unions claim that numerous members would be forced to commute for long hours to attend classes, with others possibly having to defer their enrolment, due to housing challenges.

Both groups emphasize the need for measures to tackle both the price of accommodation and the ongoing shortage of available rental properties. Seán de Búrca, president of the University of Galway SU, stressed the importance of public representatives addressing the issue seriously and ensuring young people do not endure such a dire housing situation.

Despite new private student accommodations being available in the city, de Búrca pointed out that they are excessively expensive for many and do not significantly alleviate the broader issue. He also highlighted that the supply of short-term rental units in Galway remains a problem, with hundreds of such properties being used for this purpose instead of housing students.

Around 100 houses and apartments are listed on Airbnb in Galway, with the lowest-priced room costing €750 per month. New regulations governing the short-term rental market are set to be introduced in the coming months, but student leaders argue that current regulations are not being properly enforced. Since the beginning of this year, Galway City Council has received only two applications from private landlords to change the use of properties for short-term rentals, compared to 18 applications over the past six years.

Daniel Walsh, president of Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, noted that the housing issues in Galway mirror similar challenges in other locations.