Despite rising rents and lack of suitable places, the number of university students living away from home in rented accommodation has almost doubled in the past 10 years, according to new figures.
Figures from a forthcoming Higher Education Authority (HEA) report, covering the years 1997-98, show an increase of over 10,000 in the number of university students living in flats.
In 1988-89 there were 11,015 university students living in the private rented sector. In 1997-98 this figure increased to 21,430, according to the report.
Mr Julian de Spainn, president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said: "These figures reveal a significant change in the living arrangements of students."
While the figures are a source of surprise to some student representatives, Mr de Spainn said the trend related to the points system.
"The 1990s saw increasing competition for third-level places and corresponding increases in the points required for courses. This had the effect of forcing more students to travel farther from home to attend university.
"As a result, the number of university students in the private rented sector increased by almost 100 per cent," he said.
Students are now one of the largest groups in the private rented sector, while USI confirmed that this year was the worst ever for accommodation. While many students are getting accommodation it is often several miles from their college.
The marked increase in the number of students going to third level has also contributed to the pressures.
"The recently published report of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector states that there was a 60 per cent increase in the number of privately renting households in the 1991 to 1997 period," said Mr de Spainn.
"However, we know that much of this increase was in the luxury end of the market and therefore unsuitable for students.
"Quite simply, the private rented sector is not expanding fast enough to meet increased student demand", he said.
Ms Alison Gibney, welfare officer with USI, said: "The increase in the number of students in the private rented sector has been matched by a decrease in the living conditions of students.
"The latest census figures show that almost 20,000 students are travelling distances of 10 miles and over to college."
The HEA report also shows some 4 per cent of university students living on campus. This compares with 28 per cent in the UK and 17 per cent in Europe.
The Government's reaction to the chronic shortage of accommodation for students has been to introduce a tax relief measure for student accommodation.
Up to 7,500 units are currently in various stages of planning as a result of the tax concession.
Mr de Spainn said: "However, even after the construction of these units, Ireland will still be far behind other European countries in terms of the proportion of students in on-campus accommodation.
"Urgent action is needed in this area. We are calling on the Government to invest directly in on-campus student accommodation."