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

I have outlined the Government's stance on the matter which has been reiterated by other Ministers who have commented publicly on it recently. The process is as I have outlined. If changes are due to be made to the scheme, I will signal them well in advance understanding the effect my words about the scheme might have on those who are considering using it or may already have applied. To aid the House in its consideration of the scheme, the Revenue Commissioners have shared figures with me regarding the performance of the scheme to date. It may be of interest to the Deputy and others that, in terms of the property values against which applications under the scheme have been made, just under 80% of the applications have been in respect of purchases of properties less than €375,000 and that approximately 60% of applicants have a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 85%. Therefore, there are people accessing the scheme for whom it is of help. I will be using the process I have outlined to the House and will signal well in advance changes due to be made.

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