On-campus accommodation (Part 3)

Limerick

Limerick seems to have been spared the accommodation shortages that have hit the other university cities. UL's on-campus accommodation at Plassey village and Killmurry Village is now full booked, but there is still plenty of off-campus housing available. The college will be posting out its accommodation pack on August 21st and is holding an accommodation open day on August 25th when they ask all landlords offering student accommodation to be at their properties.

Frances NcNamara, the off-campus accommodation officer, says that there have been no problems finding houses and flats for the last few years and she anticipates another relatively stress-free year. She says that the numbers of people seeking digs has gone down and most people are now going for the self-catering option. Rooms are also available for the entire academic year at Broad St Hostel and Park Lodge.

Accommodation officer at Limerick IT Lilly Goggin says that newcomers should approach the task of looking for a home with confidence. The accommodation office provides lists, advice and "landlady-student guidelines". They estimate that a single room in a shared house should cost £35 for a single room and £32.50 sharing. Digs run to about £50 to share a room and £55 single for five days with an extra £15 for seven days.

Waterford

The message from Waterford IT is that there are plenty of digs available ranging from £50£55 for five days. Although there is no real housing shortage in Waterford, Eilish O'Rourke from the accommodation office in WIT advises students to broaden their horizons. "It can prove very difficult to find somewhere five minutes from college, but if you move a little further out you should find a place for about £30-£35 sharing a room or £35£40 for a single." All those offered places will be sent an accommodation list from the college but O'Rourke strongly recommends first-years to go into digs. "It takes the pressure off students and parents," she says.

Westmeath

Athlone IT hopes to have student purpose accommodation available for the academic year 2001-2002, but for this year's students, flats and houses are the best options. The student union compiles a list of registered landlords who offer accommodation at £30£40 for a single room. There is "ample accommodation" in Athlone according to the IT Students Union and there isn't much interest in digs. Deposits, they say, are also low - at a basic level of £150 - and students are generally only expected to pay rent a week in advance.

Kerry

A list of digs and self-catering accommodation is now available from the accommodation office at Tralee IT. The list is constantly updated and students who come and visit the office generally have little difficulty in finding accommodation. You can expect to pay less than £40 a week for shared flats and houses with digs costing on average £45 for five days.

Louth

Dundalk IT plans to have its first student purpose accommodation ready for occupation by September. Located just across the road from the college the residence will have 24 rooms to house 48 students.

Darren Reddy, student union president at Dundalk IT, says that despite the growth of industry in the town there is still plenty of student accommodation. "Last year we couldn't get rid of all the houses on our lists." A room in a house in Dundalk costs about £30 per week with digs ranging from £45 to £50 for five days.

The college accommodation list has been available since August 16th and all those offered college places will be sent a copy. Local papers - the Dundalk Democrat and the Argus - also carry accommodation sections.

Sligo

Sligo IT has no on-campus accommodation but the college does supply a list of digs and self-catering houses. Listings of affordable flats and houses are available on the student union notice board and the Sligo Champion also carries adverts.

Carlow

The accommodation office at Carlow IT posts out lists to first-year students requiring accommodation and students in all years are invited to contact the office for advice or to check on availability.

Letterkenny

Digs are still plentiful in Letterkenny IT, but students are leaning more and more toward house shares and flats. There is currently no shortage of accommodation.