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Rental Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (907)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

907. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of entire homes listed for short-term let on sites such as that of a company (details supplied); the number of persons that have more than one entire property for let on short-term let sites; if these data are not available, if he will request same from the companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/20]

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Written answers

My Department does not collate data in relation to accommodation let on a short term basis for tourism purposes.

New planning legislative reforms to regulate the short term letting sector - as provided for in the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and supplementary regulations which I made entitled the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 - came into effect on 1 July 2019.

The primary objective of the legislative changes is aimed at regulating short-term letting through the planning code in the context of its impact on the supply of private rented accommodation particularly in urban centres of high housing demand i.e. rent pressure zones. The planning system facilitates the regulation of such short-term letting uses undertaken by the individual carrying out the activity, i.e. the owner/occupier of the house or apartment, rather than the online platforms. It is worth pointing out that these new planning laws go further than what was proposed by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government when it considered this matter. In fact, they go further than similar laws in most comparable jurisdictions.

I am not opposed to the broader regulation of tourism activity, including the possible development of a new regulatory or licensing/registration system for commercial platforms and short-term letting agents which was recommended in the final Working Group report on the regulation of short-term lettings. However, this is beyond the scope of the planning code and my remit. I corresponded with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the possible implementation of the recommendation which would fall to him to progress. It will be a matter for the incoming Government to decide on any further actions it may wish to take in relation to the possible regulation of online platforms.

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