Figures reveal near-zero uptake of student room rental scheme in Galway amid housing need
Data showing a significantly low number of students availing of the Student Local Authority Tenancy Scheme across Galway has led some councillors to question the programme’s effectiveness.
The initiative allows tenants in council housing to apply for permission to rent out a spare room to third-level students for the academic year. Once approved, tenants can receive monthly payments from the student, while retaining eligibility for social welfare supports. Rental income of up to €14,000 per year is permitted under the scheme.
Under the scheme, just one student is currently participating in the county. In the city, one tenant application is currently being processed, however no students are occupying rooms under the scheme.
Loughrea Councillor Geraldine Donohoe raised the issue at a Galway County Council meeting in November, seeking an explanation for the low uptake given the ongoing student accommodation crisis in a University town.
Describing the scheme as “fanfare,” Councillor Donohoe told the Irish Independent that she believes the low participation rates are reflective of a national trend.
“Some counties likely have no applications at all,” she said.
She suggested that extending the scheme to include non-students could increase participation, and pointed to affordability concerns for students. If a tenant charges the maximum €14,000 per year, she said, this would equate to nearly €290 per week for a student.
She added accessibility to homes located wider parts of county Galway in relation to the major colleges such as the University of Galway and ATU in Galway city also causes students to face transportation concerns.