In Ireland, short-term holiday-home bookings are generally not covered by the residential tenancy deposit rules or the RTB, so there is no general statutory deposit-protection scheme for them. Check the booking agreement and platform terms for the deposit amount, permitted deductions and refund timescale, and keep photographs, messages and payment records. Ask the owner or agent for an itemised explanation and raise a formal complaint through the booking platform where relevant. If the dispute remains unresolved, the appropriate remedy may depend on the contract and circumstances, so consider getting advice from a solicitor or relevant consumer body.