Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This particular option was only due to be available until the end of 2019 and was a recommendation that came from the Thornhill report. This is a recommendation that came from the central review of local property tax. Mortgage interest relief was brought in at a time in which interest rates on mortgages, particularly for new applicants, were much higher than they are at the moment.

I accept that perhaps behind the Senator's question is the issue of the affordability of local property tax for many at the moment. I am sure she will correct me if I am wrong but this may be what is driving her question with regard to this head. This is the reason we have worked very hard to try to have a Bill that will be as affordable as it can be for most. Even though the Senator is correct about the change that is being made, it will still be the case that a majority of people will not see an increase in their local property tax. For many of those who see an increase, it will be a band and for those who see an increase that is larger than a band, it will be because their home has gone up in value by a larger amount than the national increase since 2013. The Senator is correct about this change but I am seeking to deal with the issue of affordability in other ways.