Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he is taking on foot of the recently published ESRI research data reporting that Airbnbs are not the primary cause of long-term rental shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22808/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. I understand that Minister Burke has welcomed the recent ESRI research profiling Short Term Letting (STL) usage across Ireland. The research is based on data scraped from one STL platform at a point in time in September 2023 and is less complete than the Fáilte Ireland data, which is up to date, gives a monthly breakdown and is based on data-scraping from the four largest booking platforms operating in Ireland. There are also limitations associated with the geographic information provided which precludes exact matching with property level data from other sources such as the Residential Tenancies Board's rental register.One of the report's findings is that establishing a detailed and comprehensive register covering all STL activity across Ireland is a crucial first step towards informed policymaking. On 15 April, the Government approved a General Scheme of a Bill to implement a register for all STLs in Ireland from 20 May 2026 that will provide a full overview of STL stock in Ireland.

The ESRI report finds that policy responses to limit transfer of properties from the private rental sector to the STL sector are likely to be required, particularly in urban areas with large rental markets. On 15 In this regard the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, also secured approval from Government for a new planning direction for STLs that will be set out in a National Planning Statement. This will generally preclude new planning permissions for short term lets in cities and towns with a census population in excess of 10,000 persons, and enable local authorities to develop policies for other locations having regard to criteria to be set out in the guidance.

The Government recognises the central importance of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and communities while also acknowledging the vital importance of meeting local housing need across Ireland. This Government is committed to using every lever available to assist in providing homes for our people while helping tourism and other vital economic sectors to grow and prosper.