UCC President: We need help on rising student rents in Cork

UCC president Patrick O’Shea has called for Government action on the issue of student rents.

He demanded a “national response” to the “national issue” of rent increases and lack of student bed-spaces.

The university has come under fire in recent weeks for electing to hike on-campus accommodation prices by 3%, which means rents have risen by 19% in the last three years.

A UCC spokesperson previously said the decision was “not taken lightly” by Campus Accommodation UCC, but was necessary “due to major refurbishing work, the rise in security and maintenance costs, and the investment required to provide additional accommodation for students.”

They also said all income generated will be used exclusively to meet those costs.

The spokesperson said the university is “extremely conscious of the financial challenges faced by students” and is set to review the applicability of the 3% increase for those in receipt of student assistance funding.

UCC Students Union representatives, alongside many students, are unhappy with the increases for the upcoming academic year. Students have been camping out in tents on the Quad in UCC for the past week, while politicians have visited to express their support.

Prof O’Shea has come under fire, with students’ union reps issuing him with both an open letter and private correspondence.

However, he has now issued a rallying call on Twitter, calling for Government action.

He said: “UCC offers the best value high-quality student accommodation in Cork, by keeping rent well below commercial operators. We receive zero State funding to operate, maintain & develop the housing our students so desperately need. We call for a national response to a national issue.

“There are over 40,000 third-level students in Cork City. UCC Campus Accommodation has only 1200 beds and CIT has none. What will happen when many thousands of new students look for housing for next September and every September after that?

“Call for government action now,” Mr O’Shea concluded.

A single ensuite room in Victoria Mills will now cost €172 per week, and €6,364 for the 37-week academic year - single rooms in University Hall are the same price.

Ensuite rooms in both Mardyke Hall and Victoria Lodge come in at €6,253, or €169 per week, while the non-ensuite rooms will cost €163 weekly, and €6,031 for 37 weeks.

The cheapest on-campus accommodation for UCC students is at Castlewhite, which is also the closest to campus. Where a single room costs €5,624 - €152 per week - and a twin room costs €112 weekly, totaling €4,144.

A €300 deposit is also expected for each room.