A Kerry County Councillor has claimed that restrictions on short-term lets is hurting Kerry’s tourism industry.
Independent Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae raised the issue at the most recent Kenmare MD meeting.
Short-term lets in towns with a population of over 20,000 must apply for change-of-use planning permission to their local authority.
The Government initially planned to target towns of 10,000 people, before deciding to increase the number under the proposals.
Additionally, from the 20th of May, all short-term lets will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland and display a unique registration number online.
Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae has claimed the regulations on short-term lets are too strict, and that many hosts will not be granted planning permission ‘no matter what they do’.
He stated that short-term lets are an important source of income for people at greater risk of financial insecurity.
Cllr Healy-Rae strongly criticised the incoming regulations and stated that Fáilte Ireland was hurting Kerry’s tourism industry.
