Cork

The situation this year in Cork doesn't look much more promising that last year. Once again, the apartments at University College, Cork are already all reserved.

Assistant accommodation officer at UCC, Denis MacDonald says there may bevacancies after the offers come out, but as the waiting lists are already quite long, he advises students to start considering other options.

The office will post lists of digs to anyone who requests them and lists of flats and houses are available on the office notice board. The Evening Echo is also useful for accommodation listings. MacDonald says that if students are to find the place they want, they must come prepared. "We strongly recommend people to bring a holding deposit with them and to remember a pen and paper, to write addresses down." He says that rents in Cork can vary from £37.50 upward for a shared room to £50 to £60 for a single room. Students looking for a house-share are advised to wait until September to look for a place, "otherwise they will end up paying for a house they won't be living in for another month".

At Cork IT the accommodation office says that some of their students began looking for accommodation as early as May. They also say that fewer first-year students are opting for digs than before and are looking for houses and flats instead. There are no queues as yet, says Cork IT, but they expect things to get a lot busier now the Leaving Certificate results are out. Most students find accommodation in the Bishopstown, Model Farm Road, Wilton and Ballincollig areas. They estimate a room in a house in these areas costs around £35 to £45 for a single and £30 to £40 for a twin.

Galway.

In the private rental sector students can expect to pay £500 a month for a one bed apartment and £600 for a two bed. However, apartments are becoming increasingly scarce at this time of year as the tourist season gets longer and longer.

The purpose-built accommodation at Corrib Village of shared houses and flats is still the preferred option of NUI students. There are some places left. Phone (091) 527112 for details. According to the NUI Galway accommodation officer, Margaret Faherty, digs are still very popular in Galway, due, she says to the large rural catchment area. She warns that the building boom in Galway has done little to help students, but says the college is considering building campus accommodation under the section 50 tax breaks scheme.

The NUI accommodation office updates its lists regularly, but Faherty advises students looking for self-catering accommodation not to rely solely on the college service. The Advertiser has listings available on a Thursday afternoon. She advises first-year students to consider seriously going into lodgings with a family. "It is difficult enough adjusting to college life without worrying about bills as well."

Students seeking to rent a house should watch out for the following, says Faherty, "never take accommodation over the phone; never sign a lease on behalf of someone else, even your friends; book into a hostel while you lookand always read a lease thoroughly".

This year Galway IT is due to get its first student purpose accommodation. an It will provide room for 698 students and is currently taking bookings. However not all rooms will be available by the start of term as the building boom in Galway has led to delays.

It is estimated that 102 beds will be available by September 9th with more coming on stream shortly afterward. Rooms will cost £45 per person for a twin en suite, £50 for a standard single and £55 for a disabled room or a single en suite.