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

My officials and I regularly engage with the Central Bank. However, I have not had any engagement recently with the Central Bank on the specific issue the Deputy has raised, which is the issue of tax-based support for housing.

The issue in the Irish housing market and so many of the social and economic difficulties that it is now causing are caused by a shortfall in supply. For more than a decade, the level of homes we have been building has not been in line with the needs of our society and the change in our demographic and economic growth. An increase in the supply of new homes remains a priority aim of Government policy. I will continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues to ensure that any further interventions in the housing market are appropriately calibrated, represent the best use of public money and boost the supply of homes in the public and private sectors.

A range of tax-based measures are already in place, namely, the help to buy scheme, the rent tax credit, the vacant home tax, the residential zoned land tax and the residential premises rental income relief. The Deputy will appreciate that decisions regarding taxation measures are made in the context of the annual budget. He will also know that I am not going to comment in advance of any decisions that are yet to be made.

See this speech in context