‘Backdoor’ approval of tourism accommodation at student sites criticised

Two Labour senators have said it is inappropriate for student accommodation providers to re-appropriate facilities to house tourists and business travellers

Labour senator Rebecca Moynihan, who serves as the party’s housing spokeswoman, said that developers were ‘chancing their arm’ by applying for change-of-use with Dublin City Council. Picture: Rolling News

Two Labour party senators have accused Dublin City Council of allowing “backdoor” approvals of more tourist accommodation in Dublin’s inner city by allowing student accommodation providers to lease to travellers.

The comments come following a report by the Business Post revealing that Uninest, the student accommodation provider, was granted approval to temporarily use its purpose-built facility at Ardcairn House, Dublin 7, to host tourists for the coming academic year.

Uninest gained permission for this temporarily ...