Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of rent tax credit claims that have been made in County Kildare for 2024; if the increase in the value of the credit for 2025 is leading to any increased uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Tá ceist Uimh. 6, atá in ainm an Teachta Naoise Ó Cearúil, á tógáil ag an Teachta Aindrias Moynihan.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Since its inception two years ago, the rent tax credit has provided significant assistance to people who are renting. Can the Minister give an indication on the take-up of that credit, particularly with regard to County Kildare, and also County Cork if he has those data available? As the rent tax credit was recently increased at the last budget, can he give an indication whether the increased value of that credit has increased its take-up?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am going to have to disappoint the Deputy as I have the information for Kildare but not Cork available this morning. Of course, I can get that information for him and will share it with him quickly.

The rent tax credit, as he outlined, has been brought in. In budget 2025, it was increased to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a jointly assessed couple. This increase applies for 2025 and also retrospectively for 2024 in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures facing many renters. The statistics relating to the rent tax credit for 2024-25 are only available for PAYE taxpayers. They are, therefore, made on a taxpayer unit basis.

As regards County Kildare, it was 8,634 taxpayer units for 2024 and 985 for 2025. Most claims for credits, however, take place after the year end. I expect that the bulk of claims for this year will not be made until next year. I see no reason at all for this year's figure to be lower than what it was in 2024. Of course, I will provide the Deputy with the information for Cork and will write to his office in that regard.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that the Cork figures may not be as readily to hand. I look forward to reviewing them later. The credit has been a real support for many people who are renting and it is easing some of the burden. We have included in the programme for Government that there would be further improvement on the credit. I am trying to get an understanding on any engagement or discussions the Minister has had up to now on making improvements and enhancing it, be that through doing it over five budgets or in one or two of the earlier budgets. Can the Minister provide any indication or discussion he has had in this regard? It has been a valuable relief for many renters both last year and the year before that. I wish to ensure that this commitment is grown upon.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The commitment in the programme for Government is very clear. We recognise the value and support this credit has provided. Over time, in the different budgets the Government will bring forward, we will seek to improve it, as will be the case with other important credits and tax reliefs. It has played a role in helping with the affordability of rents for many tenants. I agree with all the Deputy said in this regard. I am confident, as we bring budgets forward, that we will be able to make progress on the relief and support that it offers to those who are renting.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Is mór an cabhair é an faoiseamh cánach dóibh siúd atá ag tógáil áit chónaithe ar cíos. Tá sé mar chuid den chlár Rialtais amach romhainn go gcuirfí leis seo agus go gcuirfí breis cabhrach ar fáil do dhaoine. An bhféadfadh an tAire insint dúinn cén plean nó comhrá a bhí aige go dtí seo ar conas é sin a leathnú amach agus forbairt a dhéanamh air? The programme for Government also commits to helping renters who are seeking to become home buyers with a series of targeted measures, both in the tax system and in the first home scheme, for example. While I appreciate it is early, has the Minister had any discussions up to now with regard to the tax changes in that area? Can he give us a sense as to how he sees that being rolled out in the years and budgets ahead?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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We have not yet had discussions in that regard, to be frank with the Deputy, because of how early we are in the lifetime of this Government and in preparing for the next budget. Of course, we have schemes in place such as the first home scheme, which is a shared equity scheme, and the help to buy scheme. They are designed to help everybody looking to buy their first home, particularly new builds in the context of the help to buy scheme, and make a contribution to the deposit for that. That applies to everyone. It is of particular help to those who have challenges in building up their deposit. We appreciate the importance of those schemes in both helping with affordability and providing the incentive for supply to increase. As I said, between those particular schemes and where we are with the rent tax credit, they are the kinds of interventions that I hope are of help to many in dealing with the high cost of housing at the moment.