To ask the Minister of Finance whether he has considered the introduction of increased rates for properties used as holiday lets.

The level of rates paid by “holiday lets” will vary depending on the frequency of letting.

Those that are commercially let are valued as non-domestic properties and are charged business rates.

Non-commercial holiday lets are valued differently and charged domestic rates. These may include second homes or holiday homes which are let out on a more occasional basis.

Applying a levy to domestic properties in that cohort was previously considered at Executive level as part of a previous formal review of domestic rating.

Such a levy was ruled out on the basis that it would be easy to evade, impossible to vet at reasonable cost and would be unlikely to make any difference to the decisions taken by those seeking second homes.

I am aware of similar policy interventions being attempted in Britain in recent years which my officials have been monitoring closely.

Those policy interventions elsewhere have not been without significant problems but nonetheless will be assessed by my Department as part of the systemic assessment of rate supports within the Strategic Review of Rating.