The French Embassy in Ireland has warned new arrivals, including university students, of a “severe housing crisis” and "sharp rent increases."

The organisation is also warning that international arrivals will face remarkable difficulties in finding accommodation.

A post by the Embassy read: "The strong demand and the saturation of the rental market have led to a sharp increase in rents, which are currently much more expensive than in Paris, including shared accommodation."

The Dublin-based organisation posted the message on their website yesterday, advising people planning to settle in Ireland to allow “sufficient time” of up to several weeks to search for accommodation. In their post, the Embassy also reminded people of the need for “great vigilance in the face of the risk of scams” and have been told to never “sign a contract or pay a deposit without having previously visited the accommodation”.

According to the French Embassy, it is “essential to have solid financial guarantees and, if possible, certificates of payment of rent from your previous owners”.

The French Embassy issued a warning to those travelling to Ireland.

Beth O'Reilly, President of the Union of Students in Ireland called on Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris “to protect students."

In a post online, O'Reilly claimed “international students have been misled on the availability in accommodation in Ireland” and said “international students deserve the full story before they choose to study in Ireland."

They added: “They should be aware of all of the costs associated with studying here, as well as the abysmal accommodation situation.

“I’ll be reaching out to more embassies in the coming weeks to encourage them to display similar warnings,” the President stated.

“Hopefully more will follow suit in helping to educate students on the accommodation crisis.”

The French Embassy are warning students about the accommodation crisis in Ireland.
International students have been misled on the availability in accommodation in Ireland - an issue we warned @SimonHarrisTD about and yet still no action to protect students. pic.twitter.com/EOpR49q2ez

— Beth O'Reilly (they/them) (@BethOReilly) September 15, 2022

The Irish Council for International Students expressed concern over Ireland’s reputation abroad as an education destination due to the French Embassy warning. The Council have said it has seen an 86% increase this year in queries related to accommodation handled through its information and support service.

Executive Director of the ICOS, Laura Harmon, has warned that the “student accommodation crisis will have serious ramifications for Ireland’s higher education sector as well as our economy if urgent action is not taken.

“International students are more at risk when it comes to accommodation scams as they often have little knowledge of the rental market landscape in Ireland," the director continued.

I will pay for a tent for someone if they actually pitch it on campus and catalyse tent city. I am also a student at UL but I am living abroad. We have to do something

— UL Confessions (@ULConfession) August 31, 2022

With accommodation scarce for both Irish students and non-students alike, the worry of finding somewhere to live from outside the country adds an extra layer of stress. Thousands of native college students are crying out for additional accommodation to be built, with some even planning to build tent cities if the problem isn't solved soon.