Ms Lorna Cahill:

I am a wife and mother of four. I am currently living in Milltown Malbay, which is a small village of approximately 900 people. Before the birth of my third child I had been working as a social worker in the field of homelessness. I have a good insight and understanding of the issues surrounding the housing crisis. However, nine years ago, my husband and I were forced into making the decision to utilise an empty, unused granny flat attached to our home. We did not take this decision lightly. We took it out of sheer necessity. We are an average family, one of those families whose income is too high to qualify for any form of assistance or student grants, but not high enough to manage the costs of third-level education for our children. When our first two daughters entered college, one to train as a nurse and the other as a social worker, respectively, we hit a major financial wall. Our Airbnb income became a godsend. It allowed us to pay the college fees and student accommodation costs. It prevented us from having to force our daughters to drop out of college. We continue to rely on this income today. We have one son who is in art college, with another son going to college in three years. Such are the joys of having four children.

Our Airbnb income typically ranges from €10,000 to €15,000 in a good year. This is not a huge amount by any means, but it is life-changing for me and my family. I feel unfairly blamed and scapegoated for a housing crisis that I am not a part of creating. My specific activity does not negatively impact on it. My granny flat cannot be let on a long-term basis for several practical reasons. It is attached to our primary home. It is extremely small, lacking space for essential amenities such as a washing machine or wardrobes. There is no storage space whatsoever. It is a beautiful place in which to stay for a short summer break. However, it is not suitable for long-term winter living. This small unit has never been in the long-term housing market nor will it ever be.

We have welcomed more than 2,000 guests from every corner of the globe, many visiting local attractions or attending local weddings. Guests consistently rate the service and ultimately the kindness provided by my family as five stars. We give that céad míle fáilte welcome to all our guests. In Clare and indeed throughout the country, many hosts are in exactly the same financial position as I am. They are also utilising attached granny flats or garden units as short-term lets.

If we are forced to close our doors, due not to the registration but the upcoming planning restrictions, many, if not all, of these families will face significant financial hardship. Small towns and villages like Milltown Malbay, which is already struggling with pub and restaurant closures, risk becoming ghost towns not only out of season but also during the tourism season. This will further limit opportunities for young people in our areas. I urge recognition that not all short-term rentals are equal. For many average families, particularly in rural communities, they are a vital economic lifeline.