by Louise Doyle
A FRESH call is being made for accommodation providers for students in Donegal ahead of the soon to be released CAO offers.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Students’ Union President Donegal, Kevin Sweeney said more accommodation is being actively sought.
He is appealing to anyone who has a spare house, apartment/flat, digs or a room in their home available to get in touch.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Sweeney said there has been “a significant reduction in numbers” compared to this time last year. He said factors for the decrease include providers housing refugee families.
“There has been a significant reduction in numbers compared to this time last year.
“From our data, the total number of rooms available has decreased compared to this time last year on our list. This is due to 40 per cent providers stating that they are now housing refugee families while the remaining 60 per cent of providers have confirmed that students from last year are remaining on in the same properties.”
Mr Sweeney said that while the number of digs has increased, the number of houses and apartments have dramatically decreased compared to last year.
“We are relying heavily on digs these past few years. The governments ‘Rent-A-Scheme’ has been very helpful these past few years. You can earn up to €14,000 tax-free if you rent out a room in your home to third level students. (You can find out lots of information about this scheme on Citizens Information and Revenue.ie”
Fifty-two-and-a-half per cent of the accommodation available is within 5km of the ATU, whilst the remaining 47.5 per cent of properties is between 5km-60km from the ATU.
“It’s almost a 50/50 split. We are seeing a lot more students commuting to college every day and this in turn does not help the traffic congestion in town. Its also having a detrimental effect on student life, students are spending hours of their day travelling to and from college when they could be using that time to study, get involved in clubs and societies or socialising with friends and enjoying student life.
“We are giving a huge push this week and next before the release of the CAO offers. We estimate over 1,000 students will be enrolling here at ATU this year. Incoming first years always find it the most difficult to source accommodation. Perhaps people have vacant properties or holiday homes that are not in use throughout the academic months that they could consider renting out to students.”
Anyone with any spare rooms or properties available is asked to contact Aine Hatzer, Welfare and Equality Officer, on 074 918 6826 or by emailing suwelfare.donegal@atu.ie
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