- The Irish Self-Catering Federation has called for a Register for STR since 2017
- Self-catering provides 139,950 tourism beds in Ireland, second largest after hotels
- All self-catering businesses are to be registered by 1 January 2027
- The legislation proposes STR planning requirements for towns above 20,000 population
- Máire ní Mhurchú shared that clear evidence must be prerequisite to restrictions
The Irish Self-Catering Federation has called for a Register for Short Term Rental since 2017. The EU Commission has called for all countries to bring in a Register for STR from May 2026 onwards. Self-catering is the second largest provider of tourism beds in Ireland with 139,950 spaces while hotels provided 161,600 spaces.
The Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment plans to introduce the new Register for STR Bill in early October. All self-catering businesses are to be registered by 1 January 2027 and display a registration number. The Department of Housing published a Draft National Planning Statement for STR in June 2026. The legislation proposes that all 25 towns and cities with a population above 20,000 will have to have STR planning before being allowed get on the Register.
Máire ní Mhurchú, CEO of the ISCF, shared that clear evidence must be prerequisite to restrictions and that the 20,000 threshold is harder to justify. She shared that long-established legitimate STR businesses must be allowed to continue to operate. Derek Keogh, Chair of ISCF, shared that clear communication from Government departments is essential and called for round table discussion.
