Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under action 18 of the strategy for the rental sector, my Department has established a working group, including major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term letting, to develop guidance in respect of planning applications for and changes of use of short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements.  

The proposals under consideration by the working group are aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, which is known as home sharing, while protecting existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand, safeguarding neighbourhood amenity and consumer protection and generating revenue to address any negative externalities of short-term letting.

The working group has met four times and the work is progressing well. It has recently completed guidance for local authorities to assist them in considering planning applications in respect of short-term lettings. My Department issued a circular in that regard to all local authorities earlier this week, a copy of which has been published on my Department’s website.

I have requested that the working group report to me before the end of the year on the appropriate regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings, including consideration of the scope for a licensing regime, and the identification of any necessary amendments to existing legislation that are required.

I wish to acknowledge the report prepared by the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government on the impact of short-term lettings on Ireland's housing and rental market.  The recommendations arising from the report will be carefully considered by the working group in its deliberations.

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