Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
442. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 465,445,447 of 20 January 2026, whether a grace period will be provided for existing hosts to comply with new planning requirements once published, given that no compliance steps can be taken until the National Planning Statement is issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6629/26]
View answerAs set out in the Government's new Policy Statement A New Era for Irish Tourism, which I published last month, the introduction of regulatory controls for the Short Term Letting Sector is to ensure that the tourism sector develops in a way that recognises and is complementary to the wider needs of local communities, both economically and socially.
In April last year, I secured Government approval for the General Scheme of the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. When enacted, the Bill will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of regulatory controls including a national register for the Short Term Letting (STL) sector. Fáilte Ireland will implement and manage this register from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation, adopted on 11 April 2024.
I am pleased that the tourism sector has broadly welcomed the introduction of a STL register.
Enforcement of registration will be in compliance with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation, the Digital Services Act and the proposed Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill.
Registration will require a person to confirm compliance with existing planning, building and fire safety requirements. My colleague, Minister Brown, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has committed to publishing planning guidance on short term letting through a National Planning Statement which will be published before the STLT Bill is enacted to provide clarity for the tourism sector. I continue to engage with Minister Browne on this matter as I am acutely aware that providers need certainty in this regard.
As we await the publication of the National Planning Statement for short term letting by Minister Browne, I and my Department continue to consider the full implications for the tourism sector.
To ensure all accommodation providers and intermediaries who advertise accommodation (platforms) are aware of the registration and reporting obligations from next May, my Department launched a communications campaign on 28 October. Phase two of this campaign will launch in the coming weeks.
My Department has also developed a webpage where information is easily accessible for the sector and this is available at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/the-business-environment/tourism/short-term-letting/ .
