Update on Accommodation Campaign
UCDSU has concluded negotiations with university management, resulting in some commitments regarding accommodation.
From September 1st, the University has committed to increase rent to match inflation.
In recent years, UCD has increased the rent of on-campus accommodation by the maximum permitted under the Rent Pressure Zone regulations. For the upcoming academic year, UCD has committed to only increase the rent if inflation is higher than 0% by September 1st. UCD also pledged to match any rent increases to inflation, in case it is below 2%.
Accommodation support for eligible HEAR students will increase from €650 to €1000.
Improving the supports offered to HEAR students in terms of housing was a top priority for both UCDSU and the Students’ Union Action Group on Housing (SUAGH), which was set up back in September 2024.
This agreement represents some progress in terms of housing for students, but it is not the full outcome that was campaigned for.
The SUAGH upholds the demands it set out when it was launched. These are:
A reduction in rents to match the national average
Discounted beds to be offered to HEAR applicants and
A commitment to revisit the way that UCD charges for on-campus accommodation.
The Union thanks all students who supported the campaign, and calls on all students to commit to joining the campaign to ensure that no student is priced out of their education due to accommodation costs.
