Galway students protest housing shortage with Eyre Square sleep-out

Student representatives in Galway are staging a sleep-out protest in Eyre Square to highlight a worsening housing shortage ahead of the new academic year. The protest comes as thousands of students prepare to return to the University of Galway and other local institutions.

Seán de Búrca, President of the University of Galway Students' Union, stated that while new private student accommodation has become available, the costs remain prohibitively high. He noted that the cheapest new options near the docks start at €295 per week. The shortage is forcing many students to face long commutes or the possibility of deferring their studies.

Data indicates that rents in Galway have risen by 13% over the past year. Student leaders have also pointed to the impact of short-term rentals, noting that hundreds of units are used for platforms like Airbnb rather than student housing. Despite upcoming regulations for the short-term rental market, student unions argue that existing rules are not being effectively implemented.