Short-term lets having ‘challenging’ impact on Donegal families’ housing search

Short-term holiday lets in rural Donegal are making it “challenging” for families trying to get on the property ladder.

A workshop has been requested to address the impact of tourism on the provision of housing in rural and Gaeltacht areas in the county.

The call came from Cllr Declan Meehan at the October meeting of Letterkenny-Milford MD. 

Cllr Meehan asked for the workshop to examine how short-term holiday lets are impacting housing, “with a view to identifying sustainable models of tourism, particularly in our rural and Gaeltacht communities”.

“We know tourism is vital, but it’s difficult for families to get their foot on the property ladder,” he said. “We need to look at the growth in short term holiday lets, which are far more lucrative. It’s challenging for families in Rathmullan, Carrigart, Fanad and the Gaeltacht.

Cllr Meehan added that “only 18 illegal short-term lets have been investigated since 2023.” The motion was seconded by Cllr Tomás Seán Devine, who was also in favour of a workshop.

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In response, Seamus Canning, Housing, Corporate and Culture, said: “The Planning Department has begun to gather an evidence base in order to inform the possible development of revised planning policy pertaining to short-term letting in the County, particularly in light of the extension of Rent Pressure Zones across the country, which has resulted in short-term letting being established as a material change of use from a planning perspective.

“The planning authority will liaise with relevant stakeholders as regards appropriate policy solutions that will enable both the sustainable development of the housing and tourism markets and will revert to Members with a view to discussing the matter further.”