Laois college students 'forced to drop out' amid rental crisis

Many Laois university students studying in Irish cities are forced to drop out of their courses due to the current rental crisis.

One Laois student named Darragh told us that he is halfway through his studies at Atlantic Technological University Sligo (ATU), and no longer has accommodation to return to in the coming semester.

"I've been living in digs for the past two years, and I've just been told that my room has been given to another student," Darragh explained.

"If I can't find accommodation in Galway, I can't continue the course- we start back in three weeks time.

"I'm under serious stress at the minute. There are so few rental options available, and the digs on Daft.ie all start at a minimum of €600 a month. If I can't source somewhere, deferring or dropping out will be my only options," he said.

Darragh is currently entering his third year of marine biology in Galway. NUI Galway and ATU are the only Irish universities that offer this course.

"It's the only university in Ireland that offers marine biology- the course was always my top choice. Now I'm not even sure if I can finish it, I'm still desperately searching," the student explained.

"In my first year of university, I had a few weeks in a hostel booked before I eventually found digs. Student on-campus accommodation is so hard to get, and you have to apply for it at the start of the year," Darragh said.

Pictured: Many Laois students are forced to drop out and seek work closer to home.

In his first year of college, while facing the accommodation shortage, Darragh had requested to defer the year. His request was rejected. He claims that it was sheer luck that helped him source his previous digs, right before the semester started.

"It's particularly a nightmare for students from rural areas," he explained.

"Coming from Laois, I can't commute to college. If I wanted to get the train from Portlaoise, the earliest I can get into Galway city is 10am, and that's no use when your lectures start at 9am," he said.

"In Dublin and Limerick, you can get buses throughout the day. When you study in Galway or Sligo, commuting is only possible if you want to drive two and a half hours to get there, never mind the two and a half hours back each evening.

"Four to five hours in the car each day is crazy," Darragh said.

The student explained that there are many Laois students in Galway facing the same reality.

"I'd notice a fair few of us in the same boat. I know other Laois students that are renting in Tuam, it's an hour away from the campus on the bus, but at least it's closer than Laois," he explained.

"People will grab what's available, even if it's extortionate. I'm under serious pressure trying to source somewhere, and it's putting my mother under stress too," Darragh said.

While there are Facebook groups dedicated to renting in Galway, Darragh maintains that there is 'serious competition' in securing accommodation.

"Half of the places advertised are scams. The other half are woefully expensive," he said.

"On the rare occasion you find somewhere that's reasonable money and conveniently located, there will be 50 comments ahead of you inquiring about the property. It's a tough competition to even get in the door," said Darragh.

"If you manage to source a property viewing, it's a nightmare when you live down the country. You spend the entire day commuting for a 15 minute viewing slot, only to be told you didn't get the room.

"If you don't have a place to live, or a couch to surf on, you can't continue your degree."

Darragh added that any Laois students considering Galway should know that they are at the whims of the rental market, describing it as "an absolute hardship."

"I'm halfway through my degree, and the thought that I might have to drop out is upsetting. I don't have the option of studying marine biology closer to home, it's the only place I can go. I desperately need somewhere to stay," the student finished.

In the midst of this crisis, over 61,000 sixth year students received their Leaving Certificate results this month, with over 56,000 offered places in third level education through the CAO.