New Short-Term Letting Bill to boost compliance and support tourism - Mayo TD
CABINET approval to publish the General Scheme of the new Short-Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill has been welcomed by Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Alan Dillon.
"This legislation will establish a register for all Short-Term Lets (STLs) in Ireland, managed by Fáilte Ireland, starting from May 20, 2026. This initiative ensures compliance with the EU Short-Term Rental Regulation adopted on April 11, 2024," said Minister Dillon.
Addressing concerns from operators of short-term lettings in Mayo, Minister Dillon acknowledged the genuine worries about the impacts on rural tourism and local economies. He assured that as the drafting of the new scheme and legislation progresses through the Oireachtas committees, Dáil and Seanad, there will be further opportunities for discussion and scrutiny to achieve the appropriate balance.
"The new housing policy will generally restrict new planning permissions for short-term lets in cities and towns with a Census population exceeding 10,000, or as specified by regulations. Local authorities, including Mayo County Council, will have the discretion to develop policies for other areas based on relevant local criteria outlined in the guidance," he explained.
Currently, STL properties in rent pressure zones must have appropriate planning permission if a secondary property is rented out for more than 90 days per year. Renting out a room in your principal private residence typically does not require planning permission.
Minister Dillon emphasised the importance of this legislation: "This is a important piece of legislation that will introduce new regulatory controls for the short-term letting sector.
“I fully understand the importance of self-catering and the wider short-term letting sector along the Wild Atlantic Way and on the west coast, which are vital components of the Irish tourism ecosystem. For the first time, we will have accurate and up-to-date data on the numbers and distribution of this accommodation.
Tourism is essential to the Irish economy, providing 257,900 jobs and generating €6.2 billion in income in 2024. The long-term development of the tourism sector nationally and here in Mayo requires a balanced approach between the short-term letting sector, the long-term housing market, and the broader needs of local communities, both economically and socially."
The new STL register will be available online, offering a comprehensive view of the stock of registered tourist accommodation across the state. Hosts offering STL accommodation for up to 21 nights will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland and display a valid registration number when advertising their STL property on platforms like Airbnb.