As the race for student accommodation begins, homeowners are being urged to open up their homes to house students.

The Higher Education Minister says families living in social housing and social welfare recipients can also benefit from the rent-a-room scheme. That allows homeowners to earn up to 14 thousand euro a year tax-free.

To discuss this further Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Aoibhe O’Brien, Welfare officer at UCC Student’s Union and Martha Ni Riada, President of the UCD Students Union.