'Balance' between Waterford Airbnbs and market  - News - Waterford News & Star

’Have we any prosecutions in regards to Airbnb and would you have any idea of how many Airbnbs are in Dungarvan?’

Caroline Spencer Councillor Joe O'Riordan asked about the regulation of Airbnbs and it's impact on the housing market at a recent council meeting. He said: "Every time a vacant house comes up it seems to call for an Airbnb. Somebody from outside the area comes along and stays for maybe a month of the year and then rents it out as an Airbnb for the rest of the year.

"Have we any prosecutions in regards to Airbnb and would you have any idea of how many Airbnbs are in Dungarvan?"

Senior Planner for Dungarvan-Lismore Marcus Linehan responded: "We are reliant on guidelines that were published in January, which set out when and where Airbnbs were required. As you know there is a requirement to register your Airbnb. We've had a few in and we've made decisions on them.

"In terms of regulation, with this registration they won't be able to operate to register as Airbnb's unless they are exempt from planning or have planning permission, so we have dealt with it case by case."

He added: "We would have regard to guidelines and the housing market in the local area. There is a balance between a tourist county and offering tourist accommodation, and the housing market and the requirements of people to get homes and long-time occupation."