Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
439. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional recourse that has been provided to Fáilte Ireland to carry out its new role in regulating short-term lets; the number of additional staff that will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63648/22]
View answer442. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the new enforcement regime for short-term letting. [1073/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 442 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 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. 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, 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.
