Self-Catering is a Tourism Product and not a Cause or a Solution to the Housing Crisis

will bring Short-term Rental (STR) into strong focus. The new EU rules, if adopted by the European Parliament, will create transparency on ownership of STR properties and how data on STR is collected and shared in the EU Countries. In Ireland, Failte Ireland has been nominated as a Statutory Agency to collect this data. The adopted text of the Billtoday, will be voted on at the EU level before Christmas. Irish Legislation will follow the EU guidelines on this if adopted, and this will supersede any National legislation. Each self-catering property where a full house, apartment, cabin, pod, or other accommodation property will have a Registration number, giving clear data to national governments on bed stock in each area of Ireland

The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) has received a draft document on the Planning Legislation and is disappointed that long-term viable businesses are not supported, while rental of up to 90 days in the Primary Private

Residence (PPR) is allowed. The PPR rental offered by one of the OTA’s is not part of the Tourism Industry. The need for Tourism Accommodation has to be addressed as there is a serious deficit in Tourism Accommodation for Families, Groups, and the economy end of the market due to Government contracts. Owners of STR in Ireland and the EU Commission have requested planning legislation that will allow for balanced, proportionate, and allow for continuation and development of accommodation in Ireland, protecting the livelihoods of those who have been long-term in the industry.
The creeping RPZ areas have brought the whole counties of Limerick, Waterford, and Kilkenny into the areas where Self-catering becomes illegal without planning permission, and there are no clear guidelines on the provision of planning.

Customers are entitled to Quality Assured Short-Term Rental (STR) accommodation, offering the best international standards. The ISCF is one of the two national agencies that provide Quality Assurance Certification for STR Properties in Ireland. Self-catering is not the cause or solution to the housing crisis in Ireland. The ISCF felt extremely let down by Alison Guililand, ex-Mayor of Dublin who spoke at an event in Brussels in late September 2023. She painted the Council’s housing development in glowing terms while the Short-Term Rental (STR) industry in the capital, while hotel rates in Dublin are astronomical. There is a need for increased tourism accommodation all over Ireland, with Self-Catering in renovated buildings being much more sustainable than newly built hotels. A clear plan for the development of the STR sector needs to be in place with the introduction of the Register for STR and Clear Planning and Development Guidelines, not a system that will require all existing businesses to apply for planning permission.

 

 

FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION ON THE IRISH SELF-CATERING FEDERATION CONTACT INFO@ISCF.IE

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CONFERENCE ON 14/11/2023 IN DUBLIN