Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1102. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to consider the serious implications for the tourism industry in County Kerry that a short-term let register will have on established providers in the county (details supplied) and the perception that the register is a new ban on short-term lets in tourist towns such as Killarney and Tralee; if he will consider introducing a planning exemption for those involved in short-term lets in Killarney and Tralee for the past three years and longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19673/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1103. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to consider the serious implications for the tourism industry in County Kerry that a short-term let register will have on established providers in the county (details supplied) and the perception that the register is a new ban on short-term lets in tourist towns such as Killarney and Tralee; if he will consider introducing a planning exemption for those involved in short-term lets in Killarney and Tralee for the past three years and longer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19674/25]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1134. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if as part of his plans to regulate short-term lets, if there will be a minimum number of licenses given to existing short-term let owners in the cities to enable them to continue the vital hospitality service that they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20940/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1102, 1103 and 1134 together.

On 15 April, the Government approved the general scheme for the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill. This Bill will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings (STLs) in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation which was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024.

The new STL register will provide a full picture of the stock of registered tourism accommodation across the state. STL hosts offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland, confirm their compliance with planning requirements and hold a valid registration number that must be displayed when advertising their STL property on online platforms.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., will set out the planning guidance for STLs in a National Planning Statement on short term letting and will progress any necessary legislative changes to implement the new planning requirements. Minister Browne will publish this National Planning Statement in advance of the final enactment of the STLT Bill to provide clarity for the tourism sector.

The approach as approved by Government on 15 April is to generally preclude new planning permissions for STLs in cities and towns with a census population in excess of 10,000 persons and to enable local authorities to have discretion to develop policies for other locations having regard to relevant local criteria to be set out in the planning guidance.

At present, all STL properties in rent pressure zones are required to have planning permission, with the exception of a room or rooms rented out in a principal private residence (PPR) . The renting out a room(s) in a PPR does not generally require planning permission; however, the renting out of an entire PPR property for more than 90 days will require planning permission.

Tourism is of significant importance to the Irish economy, providing more than 200,000 jobs and €6 billion income to our economy in 2024 and this Government is aware of the genuine concerns regarding the impacts on rural tourism and local economies of removing a cohort of properties from the STL market. However, meeting local housing need across Ireland is a critically important consideration and this Government is committed to using every lever available to assist in meeting the range of housing needs.

My colleague, Minister Peter Burke TD, in light of his role as Minister who will have formal responsibility for tourism once the function has been transferred to him by Government Order has asked department officials to consider all the implications for the tourism sector and to continue engagement with the sector on this key issue.