Profiling short-term let usage across Ireland

Globally, the popularity of homesharing platforms such as Airbnb has grown rapidly in the past decade. These platforms allow households to raise additional income and utilise space in their homes that may otherwise remain unused. However, concerns over the impacts of short-term lets (STL) on local communities have led to increased regulation of these platforms across countries in recent years. The lack of availability of accommodation in the private rental sector (PRS) has sharpened the focus on STL activities and how they may be impacting the Irish PRS. The aim of this report is to provide comprehensive insights into the level and key characteristics of Airbnb usage across Ireland. Gaining a deeper understanding of the STL sector and how this varies at a local level across the country, as well as identifying data limitations and continued knowledge gaps in the short-term let sector, is a critical first step towards a greater understanding of the interaction between the STL and PRS markets. This analysis is based on 2023 data provided by InsideAirbnb, in addition to Census 2022 small area data. A particular focus of the work is to examine the size of Airbnb markets relative to the private rental sector in local areas. We also examine the findings of some initial academic studies into the impact different types of regulation have had on the short-term let sector internationally.