Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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393. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will examine a matter (details supplied) in relation to short-term rentals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16289/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for Ireland. The work on the Bill is being led by the Minister for Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and her Department (DTCAGSM).

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission, this includes a material change of use of a property such as for short term letting. Where a person owns a second property which is not their principal private residence and lets it, or intends to let it, for short-term letting purposes, they will require the appropriate planning permission to do so unless the property concerned already has planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes, or is otherwise exempted under legislation.

My Department is currently developing Planning Guidelines for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement the introduction of the STTL Bill. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties. It is intended that a draft of the updated guidelines will be published simultaneously with the publication of the STTL Bill by DTCAGSM in order that property owners will have a greater understanding of the planning requirements well in advance of the final enactment of the STTL Bill.