Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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43. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on her plans to regulate short-term letting providers; the reason for the delay for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58835/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy.

I have since written to the Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media regarding the Bill in line with agreed protocols for pre-legislative scrutiny. Indeed, Departmental officials, along with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland, attended a meeting of the Committee in public session for pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme yesterday, 25 January. My Department is also engaging with the European Commission on the draft legislation under the notification requirements of the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) Directive. I look forward to engaging with Oireachtas colleagues with a view to passing the legislation in the coming months.

With regard to resourcing of this initiative, I understand that Fáilte Ireland has appointed a dedicated team of ten staff to establish, maintain and implement the proposed short-term tourist letting register. This team is assisted by other teams across Fáilte Ireland including legal, ICT and finance functions.

Preparations are being made for the launch of the register, including the establishment of the necessary systems and procedures to maintain and implement the register, the development of a registration portal, and various stakeholder engagements.

Given the need to secure necessary resources, recruit relevant staff and the legal changes required I am satisfied there has been no undue delay in bringing forward this measure.