UL’s Governing Authority has recommended the issuing of refunds for students in rented accommodation at the university.

A meeting of the UL Governing Authority chaired by Chancellor Mary Harney commenced at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon. It was agreed at the meeting to issue the refunds following a review.

Pressure had been mounting on the university to come to the decision. Around 2,000 UL students are owed rent that they had prepaid for the remainder of the academic year. Those UL students are owed up to €1,000 each, according to the UL student’s union, or the equivalent of two months’ rent.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) raised the matter with UL in early April, Joe Carey (FG) and Cathal Crowe (FF) have also highlighted their concerns. Minister for Education, Joe McHugh (FG) had previously appealed to UL to issue the refunds.

McNamara has said he will continue to maintain pressure on privately owned student accommodation providers to offer refunds to students in light of the closure of third level institutes in mid-March. “When universities and colleges began giving lectures and tutorials remotely, it became clear that students who could do so would leave student accommodation to return home to their families”.

He described the development as “a welcome relief” to students and parents.