Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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309. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4779/23]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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310. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on a self-catering query (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4784/23]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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311. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on self-catering (details supplied) in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4787/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 311, inclusive, together.

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. Officials from my Department, 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 on 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.

Briefings on the Bill were provided to key stakeholders including the Irish Self Catering Federation on 7 December and further briefings have been provided to stakeholders since then. Officials from my Department are currently making arrangements for round table discussions with the various stakeholders on the Short Term Tourist Letting register and related matters, including planning permission.

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.

Policy on Planning is the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That Department has confirmed that new planning guidelines will be issued to planning authorities to assist them in the determination of planning applications in respect of short-term letting.