AQW 7598/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/02/2024
Answered On Date: 08/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what consideration he has given to introducing government-owned guarantor schemes to ensure international university students and staff can access affordable accommodation.

Answer:

My Department is responsible for higher education policy in relation to teaching and research in the north of Ireland. Student and staff accommodation – whether university halls of residence or private rental housing – is a matter between the individual and their landlord. Where a university is the landlord, it is responsible for its own business practices in respect of such provision.

However I am open to suggestions that will improve access to affordable accommodation.