The Irish Self Catering Industry is awaiting details on the extension of Rental Pressure Zones, which will require all operators in the 26 counties to enter a planning process that could impose high costs and bureaucracy.
Concerns are growing among smaller operators that they will be forced out of business if they cannot navigate the new regulations effectively.
There is growing frustration over the lack of communication from the tourism minister, who has prioritised meetings with individual owners over the representative organisations of the industry.
WHERE WE ARE AT: Holiday rentals and the Government’s rent pressure zone plan
In Scotland 50pc of the self catering properties were lost to tourism after a similar register was imposed.
The B&B sector this year has reported a dramatic 70pc drop in bookings this year, a downturn in the market that could threaten the viability of many enterprises.
Maire Ni Mhurchu of the ISCF expressed doubt about the government’s approach, suggesting, “I don’t think it will release the prooerties to the rental sector that they expect. It may do in the urban areas, but not in the rural areas.”
Maire Ni Mhurchu of the ISCF shared, “The members have been panicking today. You can’t get on the register if you haven’t got planning. And the people who have got planning are those who are either the hotel industry, who can, who added it on as they were developing, or the group schemes. I can see us having to shut up if this continues.”
