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

The scheme is helping many to get on the properly ladder and it is helping many who need support when they are buying their first home. More than 29,000 first-home purchasers have benefited from the scheme since it was set up. On the reviews that we have had, while the Deputy is correct that the most recent independent cost-benefit analysis of this was in 2018, this process is subject to a review in the tax strategy group papers that are published every year. This scheme is examined regularly by my Department. While the cost of the scheme has gone up since it was first implemented, it has been extended for longer than had been anticipated. More properties are participating in the scheme. We also made a change last year to give additional support to first-home purchasers due to the many changes that were happening because of the pandemic. I believe this scheme provides valuable help, but we will have a fundamental look at it in 2022.

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