To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any action his Department has taken to address the impact of second-home ownership on housing availability and affordability in areas with high concentrations of second homes, including the Causeway Coast and Glens.

My Department is currently carrying out research on second home ownership to improve our understanding of the potential impact they may have on local housing markets.

Whilst this might help inform consideration of proposals to address any identified impacts on housing availability and affordability, my Department does not have the statutory powers to implement such proposals.

Any action to address these issues would therefore ultimately require other Departments with the relevant legislative and policy responsibilities. For example, responsibility for the rating system and its treatment of second homes rests with the Department of Finance.