PRESS RELEASE – 02/04/2026
Any Self-Catering Businesses Open by Easter 2027
Will there be any self-catering businesses open at Easter 2027, to welcome families to rural Ireland?
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) has raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing lack of clarity from the Government in relation to the proposed Register for Short-Term Tourist Lets (STR) and associated planning requirements.
Recent media coverage, including a segment by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP, calls for an amnesty from planning for short-term lets and has highlighted growing uncertainty within the sector. Despite this, key details remain outstanding from government, including:
- The publication of the report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Enterprise, Tourism
and Employment - The timeline for the introduction in the Dail of the Register for Short-Term Tourist Letting
(STTL) Bill - The publication of the Department of Housing’s National Planning Statement for Short-Term Rentals
The proposed commencement date for the STR Register is May 1st with Fáilte Ireland designated as the statutory body responsible for its administration. However, with fewer than 30 days remaining, ISCF believes the current timeline is unrealistic given the absence of essential
legislative and policy clarity and global uncertainty.
A major concern relates to the proposed linkage between the Register and planning permission requirements for all self-catering and SME tourism businesses. Under current proposals, all operators would be required to hold appropriate planning permission to register. However, local authorities have not been provided with clear or consistent guidance on how these requirements are to be implemented.
While ISCF supports the introduction of a Register for STR, its CEO, Máire Ní Mhurchú, stated that retrospectively requiring all existing self-catering businesses to apply for planning permission would be “tantamount to closing down the sector.” She said the organisation strongly cautions against tying it to retrospective planning requirements, in its current form, highlighting practical challenges, including a shortage of architects and draftspersons, uncertainty around planning
costs, and limited staff capacity within local authority planning departments.
Such an approach risks disproportionately impacting small, family-run tourism businesses and may not result in a meaningful additional housing supply.
The ISCF is calling for a more balanced “twin-track” approach to implementation, including:
- Exemptions for existing quality assured self-catering businesses, particularly those
operating for seven years or more - Clear and consistent national planning guidelines applicable across all local authorities
- A transition period to allow both Fáilte Ireland and operators adequate time to prepare
for compliance - The establishment of a working group involving the Department of Housing, ISCF, ITIC,
Historic Houses, and local authority planners (urban and rural) to develop practical and
workable guidelines
Currently, inconsistencies exist between local authorities regarding planning requirements, with differing approaches across different counties. The ISCF emphasises the need for a unified national framework that is clear, accessible, and proportionate.
With the Easter holiday period approaching, many self-catering operators remain uncertain as to whether the necessary legislation and planning guidelines will be in place ahead of the proposed May deadline.
“We urge Government to provide immediate clarity to ensure the continued viability of small tourism businesses across Ireland” said Máire ní Mhurchú. “We want to ensure there is no movement of self-catering into the unregulated or informal market. Clarity needs to be provide on Ghost STR Properties, those built with planning for holiday rentals but now in the long-term rental market or Government contracts.”
The Federation remains committed to engaging constructively with Government and stakeholders to achieve a practical and sustainable framework that supports both regulatory objectives and the long-term survival of Ireland’s family-run tourism sector. We really want to be able to offer self-catering breaks at Easter 2027 to family groups.
Media Contact:
Office:- info@ ISCF.ie. Phone: 086 – 178 5654. Join ISCF Now
About the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF)
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) is the national representative and lobbying body for owners of self-catering properties in Ireland. Established in 1998, the ISCF advocates on behalf of its members to promote and develop the interests of the self-catering sector across the country. The ISCF has called for a Register for STR since 2017.
Recognized by Fáilte Ireland, local and central government, and key tourism stakeholders, the ISCF works to ensure that self-catering accommodation providers have a unified voice in policy discussions and industry developments. The federation represents a diverse range of property owners, from individual holiday home operators to larger agencies and groups.
One of the ISCF’s key initiatives is the operation of LetsGoSelfCatering.com, an official property listing platform that allows guests to book directly with self-catering property owners throughout Ireland. This platform aims to provide a comprehensive national listing of quality-assured self-catering accommodations.
In addition to national advocacy, the ISCF is a member of the European Holiday Homes Association (EHHA), engaging in discussions and policy development at the European level to support the self-catering industry.