Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two issues with the Leader of the House. The first is an old one, namely, that of Airbnb and the change in the nature of the city as a result of Airbnb lettings, especially within the city centre area. I have received several e-mails about the matter, of which I will give the House just a flavour:

Three new houses built in the last two years in my lane are being rented out on short-term lets. All are Airbnb.

Airbnb properties are changing the nature of my street. Do I have any rights?

A hotel [another development] would nearly have been a better choice. At least then there would be staff to interact with.

A series of questions have been raised with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government about the number of enforcement actions being taken by local authorities across the country regarding the changing of housing units into properties to be let through Airbnb. I refer to properties that were previously long-term lets. The answer from the Minister has been that the local authorities do not keep such data. I raised the issue just before Christmas when the Minister was in the House and he referred me to Circular PL12/2/2016, a letter he had circulated to all local authorities on An Bord Pleanála's decision. An Bord Pleanála's decision is clear: there is a need for planning permission when units are being rented long term as, basically, they are being operated as hotels. Unfortunately, however, in the letter the Minister does not ask local authorities to be proactive in dealing with the matter; he just asks them to act where it is brought to their attention. According to the lowest estimates, approximately 1,600 long-term lets in the Dublin area that were being rented by families have been moved to Airbnb. I have heard Deputy Fergus O'Dowd raise the issue as it was affecting Drogheda and elsewhere in County Louth. I have heard other Deputies speak about the position in counties Wicklow, Meath and Kildare. Senator Denis Landy has raised the issue as it is affecting his area. If we are to have a Rebuilding Ireland strategy, we cannot have a quick fix. We must instruct the local authorities to be proactive. One can have far more units put back on the letting market by being proactive in planning enforcement. I, therefore, ask the Leader of the House take up the issue with the Minister who I believe has very good intentions. Setting up a committee to produce a set of proposals in the first quarter of 2017 is not sufficient. We need action.

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