Comments by the head of Dublin City Council about student accommodation have been described as "dismissive and sarcastic" by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris.
Fully agree with @UCDSU. Student accommodation must be for students. Students raised this with @DarraghOBrienTD & myself & Darragh issued a circular to ensure this. Lots of work underway & needed to make improvements. Dismissive & sarcastic comments don’t help https://t.co/Vn1JxYqyVt
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 11, 2021
UCD students union contacted Owen Keegan to voice frustration at permission for use being converted to short term letting.
They say students need the beds, amid a supply crisis.
The president of the students union says prioritising the profit margins of private purpose-built student accommodation is "shameful".
In response, Owen Keegan said the student union should enter the housing market if they believe excessive profits are being made.
Student Union president Ruairi Power says it's disappointing:
DCC CEO Owen Keegan’s innovative solution to the housing crisis is…. Students’ Unions becoming property developers.
This is in response to @ucdsu opposition to purpose-built student accommodation being converted into short-term tourist accommodation.🙃🙃🙃 pic.twitter.com/gDRJa2eVPv— Ruairí Power (@RuairiPower_) October 11, 2021
