ATU Galway remains unable to access accommodation funding as student housing crisis worsens
Efforts to tackle the chronic shortage of student accommodation at ATU Galway are being hampered by the university’s inability to secure State-backed funding for new housing projects.
Speaking at a Galway City Council meeting held on the ATU campus this month, president Dr Orla Flynn said discussions with private developers on potential accommodation schemes are ongoing.
However, she noted that ATU is currently unable to secure funds for such developments as the framework around technological university borrowing funding has yet to be put in place.
The Technological Universities Act 2018 sets out the basis for how an institution may borrow funds but rules on the process have not been established yet.
At this time, a series of consultations and relevant tests would be necessary with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Housing Finance Agency to be considered for any funding.
“Student accommodation is the number one big challenge our students talk about all the time,” Dr Flynn said, adding that the four student unions at ATU have joined forces around this issue.
Dr Flynn said one option being looked at is the private developer’s use of private land, mentioning conversations that occurred with the Comer Brothers.
However, private developers are hesitant to see accommodation as a “financially viable” option, she added.
Alternatively, Crowley Park, adjacent to the institute and home to the Galwegians RFC, has been considered as an accommodation site. ATU Galway acquired the park in 2022 for nearly €9 million.
During the meeting councillors pointed to the Murrough area which is set to become a “sustainable urban extension of the city” and coastal community within its masterplan.
In early June, city councillors were presented with rezoning proposals that would make provisions for an additional train station stop in Murrogh.
Murrough neighbours Renmore in between Oranmore and Ceannt Galway train stations.
Councillors said this provision would be a “game changer” for ATU’s accommodation problem as it would open up places like Athenry and Oranmore with accessible commuting options.
The existing rail line going through the townland of Murrough is 1.5km walking distance from the ATU campus and is serviced by the 409 and 404.
Dr Flynn added she hopes the Government takes note of the need for accommodation around ATU Galway to take the ever-increasing pressure off the private rental market.