The government is wrong to postpone the introduction of a short-term letting register, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said:
“The government is wrong to further delay crucial airbnb regulation which could see twelve thousand homes move from the short-term to the long-term rental market.
“The housing crisis is an emergency, yet we’re not seeing emergency actions like clamping down on illegal short-term lets immediately.
“This measure was announced by former Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien in 2021, but today’s news exemplifies a lack of urgency in the government’s treatment of the crisis.
“The register was first promised for 2022 before being tossed aside by cabinet, with a new promise of the winter of 2023 issued.
“That deadline came and went while we were given assurances that the regulation would be introduced by this summer instead.
“It’s a slap in the face for all of those experiencing housing insecurity to see the can kicked further down the road.
“Meanwhile, Dublin City Council’s decision to remove lock boxes from public places in the capital is a clear attempt to treat the symptoms of an illness rather than the cause.
“Just like the potential removal of rent pressure zones, postponing this essential measure is just another example of government bowing to lobbyists rather than helping those in desperate need of a home.
“This is just one component of a suite of measures required to tackle the disaster that this sector has become – for example, areas outside of rent pressure zones are not covered by planning restrictions on short-term lets, allowing the crisis to grow exponentially in those neighbourhoods.
“Successive governments’ housing policies are defined by an unending stream of broken promises.
“Government must immediately introduce this regulation and ditch their stance on rent pressure zones – in times of crisis, there’s no time to wait.”
March 5th, 2025