Students accuse NUIG of ransom over rent hikes

Management at NUI Galway has been accused of holding the Students’ Union ransom over rents – with the college insisting that an increase in accommodation fees will be required to proceed with new student beds.

That’s according to President of NUIG Students’ Union Pádraic Toomey who said they were told at a meeting with college authorities last week that plans for new on-campus beds could have to be put on hold unless additional income was generated from existing facilities – Corrib Village and Goldcrest Village.

“What they are suggesting here is just wrong – they’re trying to get [the Union] to agree to it on the basis that they’ll start building new accommodation next year and then when people are not happy, they’ll say the Students’ Union agreed to it,” said Mr Toomey.

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for 670 student beds on NUIG lands at Dangan in June 2019, with the project estimated to require an investment of around €40 million.

However, Mr Toomey said this proposal to increase rents to cover that cost was unfairly placing the burden on the shoulders of students.

“This was included in the business case for the new accommodation and in the details of how they plan on funding the development and reducing the length it will take to recoup the money they invest.

“How long has Corrib Village been there? They will get their investment back but it might take a bit longer without increasing rents,” said Mr Toomey, referring to the first on-campus student accommodation built by NUIG almost 30 years ago.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, which is on sale earlier than usual, this Tuesday – or download your digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie