According to the Irish Mirror, the student rental crisis in Ireland has reached alarming new heights, with reports of shared beds being offered to desperate students seeking accommodation.
Student welfare officers have uncovered disturbing practices by some landlords, including locking kitchens at 8 pm and front doors at 10 pm if students aren’t home. University College Cork welfare officer Lucrecia Luna Smee revealed, “We have now heard from other colleges that people are advertising shared beds. One room, one double bed you would share with a stranger.”
Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell expressed shock at the situation, stating, “It is concerning to hear that students are being offered shared beds when searching for accommodation for the upcoming academic year. This is unsuitable and unacceptable.”
The crisis extends beyond shared beds, with students facing skyrocketing rents and limited options. In larger cities like Cork, purpose-built student accommodation can cost between €320 and €450 per week. Galway has seen rents as high as €800, with a 13.3% increase in recent years.
The financial strain is taking its toll on students’ well-being. The Youth Council of Ireland reported that one in five students skip meals to save money, as the average cost of third-level education has increased by €500 a month.
Due to limited accommodation options, some students are forced to commute long distances or couch-surf on weekends. Others face restrictive living conditions, with reports of kitchens being locked at 8 pm and curfews imposed.
The government has announced €100 million in funding to develop extra student accommodation, but critics argue more immediate action is needed to address the crisis.
As the new academic year approaches, Ireland’s student housing situation remains a pressing concern, leaving many wondering how far the crisis will escalate before significant changes are made.