Over 300 students recorded as homeless just the 'tip of the iceberg'
Figures obtained from the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that hundreds of students in Ireland’s third-level institutions are homeless.
Over 300 students reported as being homeless have been described as the “tip of the iceberg,” with the actual number expected to be much higher.
Figures obtained from the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that hundreds of students in Ireland’s third-level institutions are homeless.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 346 students reported being homeless to their higher education institutions, according to District Magazine.
It’s expected that this number is likely much higher, and has been described as the “tip of the iceberg” by the president of AMLÉ/the Union of Students in Ireland.
Bryan O’Mahony has said the true level of homelessness among students is “largely hidden” as many universities across the country do not record the figures.
Seven institutions, including University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, University College Cork, Mary Immaculate College, and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), did not provide data on homelessness levels among students.
“For every student officially recorded as homeless by their higher education institution, there are many more that are couch-surfing, sleeping in their cars, undertaking exhausting daily commutes, or staying in precarious and unsafe environments simply because they have no other choice,” Bryan told The Journal.
He described the figures as “the normalisation of a crisis,” while calling for the government to do more.
State-funded affordable accommodation and protections for people living in digs are two recommendations that he made.
Seven institutions, including University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, University College Cork, Mary Immaculate College, and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), did not provide data on homelessness levels among students.