Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
332. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if traditional bed and breakfasts operating since the 1980s will be affected by the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22385/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland maintains tourist accommodation registers as provided for under the Tourist Traffic Acts. These include accommodation types such as hotels, guest houses and youth hostels but do not include a number of tourism accommodation types, including bed and breakfasts. Bed and breakfasts have played a key role in welcoming visitors from around the world to Ireland for more than 50 years and this accommodation type is a unique part of the Irish tourism offering. The proposed Registration of Short Term Tourist Letting (STTL) Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for those tourism accommodation types not currently provided for under the Tourism Traffic Acts. Once the STTL register is established, bed and breakfasts will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland. At present, registration with Fáilte Ireland is done on a voluntary basis only. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently developing planning guidance for the STTL sector to provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of STTL properties.
