Students are facing a hike in their on-campus accommodation costs, with many colleges confirming increases for the new academic year.
According to the Irish Times, the Belgrove block of apartments on UCD's Belfield campus will increase from €5,481 to €6,427 next semester (an increase of 17 per cent). Its Blackrock accommodation is €5,746, up from €4,091 last year (up more than 40 per cent).
Trinity College said their rates would increase 3.5 per cent this September, following a rise of 4 per cent last year.
National College of Ireland report a 6.2 per cent increase; DCU 3 per cent; UL 3.5 per cent; and NUIG 3 per cent.
The Higher Education Authority is due to present a report on student accommodation to the Minister for Education, Jan O'Sullivan, in coming weeks.
Glen Fitzpatrick of the Union of Students in Ireland says despite the increases, the on-campus facilities will be booked up well in advance of the next term:
