PRESS RELEASE. – 18th April 2025
Government Announces Register for Short-Term Tourism Letting Bill – Industry Calls for Consultation and Clarity
The Government has announced the Register for Short-Term Tourism Letting Bill following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
While the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) acknowledges the introduction of this legislation, we express concern over the lack of prior consultation with industry stakeholders.
This approach undermines the second-largest sector in Ireland’s tourism accommodation market, leaving many of our members deeply concerned about the future of their businesses.
Politicians have stated that towns and villages with populations under 10,000 will not require planning permission for short-term rental businesses. However, there has been no clear communication regarding support or guidelines for existing businesses in larger towns and cities.
The industry urgently needs clarity on planning regulations for existing operations and clear guidelines for the development of the short-term rental sector— the fastest-growing segment of tourism accommodation. In 2024, Eurostat reported a 28.3% increase in short-term rental bookings across the EU, totalling 123.7 million nights in the first quarter alone. However, Ireland’s performance has been less robust, with a 4% decline in the number of nights international visitors stayed compared to 2023.
To illustrate the impact of disorganized regulation on the sector, the ISCF has developed a series of children’s books:
- Closing Down Self-Catering
- Granny’s Sad News
- Rory’s Exciting News – to be released on April 25
- Sile and Sean’s Big Move to Killarney – to be released on May 2
These stories aim to simplify the complex issues surrounding short-term rental regulations for younger audiences.
The ISCF urges the Government to engage in meaningful consultation with industry representatives to ensure that any legislation supports sustainable growth and protects the interests of all stakeholders in the tourism accommodation sector.
Ends
Once a register for short-term-tourist-letting (STTL) legislation is enacted, property owners advertising short-term tourism accommodation for periods up and including 21-nights will have a statutory obligation to register their property with Fáilte Ireland.
For interviews or further details contact the Irish Self-Catering Office
Office:- info@ ISCF.ie. Phone: 086 – 178 5654. Join ISCF Now
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