Tag Archives: accommodation

CLARE students are facing a desperate search for accommodation this September with rents in Galway described as “astronomically priced”. More than 1,400 Clare students are anxiously waiting to receive their Leaving Certificate exam results on Friday with many hoping to achieve enough points to go on to third level. The city of Galway has long been a popular choice with Clare students, however, according to Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer, Vice-President/Welfare and Equality Officer at NUI Galway Students’ Union those searching for a place to stay are “finding it really, really difficult, basically there is no accommodation and any that is available is astronomically priced.” Meanwhile gardaí are warning there has been an increase of 30% in accommodation fraud in 2022, in comparison with 2019 with those seeking accommodation urged to be wary for potential rental scams. The lack of accommodation in Galway is resulting in students having to commute, defer or even drop out of their course, Imogen tells us. She …

CLARE students hoping to move to Galway for college this year are being warned to be wary of potential rental scams. With housing options in short supply NUI Galway Students’ Union is urging those seeking accommodation for the upcoming academic year to exercise caution before committing to a private residence this year. The union advises that before rushing into signing a lease/contract it is extremely important to make sure the property fits the needs of all tenants and to look out for rental scams. Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer, Students’ Union Vice-President/Welfare and Equality Officer says, “There are still some properties available so don’t panic and make sure you keep a close eye on all the accommodation websites especially www.nuigstudentpad.ie” The union have set out some handy tips for those seeking accommodation: 1. Be aware of the following rental scams: Scammer claims to be out of the country so can’t show you the property but requests a deposit. Scammer is living at …

A FREIGHT yard at Ennis Rail Station should be used to provide tourist and student accommodation, helping to alleviate a “critical” shortage of accommodation in the county. That’s according to Councillor Johnny Flynn who believes the freight yard situated at a transport hub with the national rail and bus network could attract students commuting to neighbouring counties during term time, while opening up to tourists in the summer. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District he urged that discussions take place with Clare County Council’s Tourism department, Irish Rail, third level institutes in the Mid West and Failte Ireland to investigate the possibility. The councillor stated that the Clare County Council Tourism Strategy identifies “deficiencies” in Clare tourism offering “including a serious defect in tourist accommodation beds both in Ennis and Clare”. It also identifies poor transport links within the county to countywide tourism attractions in West, North and East Clare, he said. Making the case for tourism …

“BRAVE decisions” on housing people fleeing Ukraine has been called for, as the numbers seeking refuge in Clare continue to rise.  Councillor Mary Howard, called at the April meeting of the local authority, for a centralised facility to coordinate the distribution of support to the 2,000 Ukrainians known to have come to Clare to-date. Responding to the government’s outline this week of proposals relating to accommodation, the Fine Gael member said the time had come to “stop talking and start doing”.  Earlier this month, Council CEO Pat Dowling told elected members that people are being accommodated at 16 venues in seven locations, but that the authority had been mandated to step-up its support efforts. This week, the Department of Housing has announced that a Director of Service level member of staff at each local authority, along with a small team, will be assigned to coordinate the local response to the crisis.  “We now need very brave decisions,” said Councillor Howard. …

A judge has stated that the State is funding a criminal teenager living in the “lap of luxury”. Judge Patrick Durcan made his comment after hearing that TUSLA is funding the 17 year-old Clare teen living in a two bedroom apartment. After hearing of the teen’s living arrangements at the Children’s Court in Ennis, Judge Durcan addressed him and said: “Here you are living in a lap of luxury – a criminal – and being provided with everything by the State. Have you any appreciation for that?’ In response, the teen said: “I do appreciate it a lot.” Asked to outline the money he receives while staying at the TUSLA funded two bedroom apartment, the teen said: “I get €35 a week pocket money; €40 a week for shopping and €50 a month for clothes.” Judge Durcan asked: “Do you realise 100 years ago there were young lads your age being sent off to fight in Europe with big heavy …

KILKEE’S business community has lost out on an early season financial fillip, as a conference had to be moved out of the resort because there is no hotel open that could cater for the more than 100 delegates. Secretary of Kilkee Tourism, John Williams, has vented his and the community’s anger at losing the conference. He described as “outrageous” the fact that there are three hotels in the resort – The Ocean Cove, Kilkee Bay Hotel and The Marine Hotel – capable of hosting this event and all three are closed to business. Raidió Corca Baiscinn is hosting the CRAOL Féile National Community Radio Awards, funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, on May 26 and 27 and had planned to host the event locally. However, the conference, a national event recognising the talents of broadcasters and producers involved in community radio stations, will now be held in The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon. Raidió Corca Baiscainn staff and tourist interests …

WITH students returning to college this week, NUI Galway Students’ Union has issued an urgent appeal to anyone with a spare room to consider renting it to students this year. Under the Rent a Room Scheme you can earn up to €12,000 per annum tax free by renting a room. The option is also available to just rent a room for one semester to a visiting student if homeowners are uncertain about getting into a long term arrangement. Students’ Union president Jimmy McGovern said, “The lack of accommodation in Galway City has now become a serious issue, putting access to education at risk for many students. We are inundated with queries from students looking for accommodation. In particular there is a huge amount of visiting students that will just be attending NUI Galway for one semester, September to December or January to May, who are desperately in need of accommodation. We would encourage anyone with a spare room to strongly …

GARDAÍ are advising the public to be vigilant in the wake of a recent student accommodation scam, which is being investigated. Crime prevention officer Sergeant Joe Downey highlighted a recent scam that has come to light, whereby rented accommodation is advertised on well-known internet sites targeting third level students. He explained the scam is primarily operating in areas where accommodation is available close to universities and other third level institutions. “A deposit is sought in advance and the advertiser indicates that the keys will be sent in advance, on receipt of the deposit, by a reputable delivery company. “In the students’ eagerness to secure the rented accommodation, they forward the deposit without seeing the property or meeting the landlord,” Sergeant Downey outlined. He said that when the money has cleared, no keys are sent and no further contact is made, with a resulting loss to the student.