Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2017
275. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an examination of the effect of short-term lettings on the availability of housing for rent is being carried out under the auspices of his Department or under that of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, my Department has established, and chairs a Working Group of all the major public stakeholders with a policy interest in Short-Term Letting, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications and changes of use relating to short term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is a member of the Working Group.
The proposals under consideration by the Working Group are aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, known as home-sharing, while protecting existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand, safeguarding neighbourhood amenity and consumer protection and generating revenue to address any negative externalities of short-term letting.
The Working Group has met four times to date and the work is progressing well. The Group has recently completed the guidance for local authorities to assist them, when considering planning applications relating to short-term lettings. My Department has issued a circular in this regard to all Local Authorities earlier this week, a copy of which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/circular_pl10_aph3_2017.pdf .
I have requested the Working Group to report to me before the end of the year on the appropriate regulatory approach for short-term tourism-related lettings, including consideration of the scope for a licensing regime, and the identification of any necessary amendments to existing legislation required.
Dublin City Council, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, are in the process of commissioning research to assess the extent, expectations and effect of short-term letting in Dublin. This study will inform the Working Group in developing its proposals.
The report prepared by the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government on the Impact of Short-Term Lettings on Ireland's Housing and Rental Market will also be considered by the Working Group in its deliberations.
