Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know the Senator has been asking about this for several years. A total of 228 applications have been received since the start of the scheme: 92 in Dublin, 71 in Cork, 19 in Limerick, 32 in Waterford, 11 in Kilkenny, and a low number for Galway. A total of 20 individuals have made claims in respect of €400,000 in 2017 at a cost to the Exchequer of €100,000. It is much lower than we had hoped or anticipated. The numbers are not at the level we expected when the scheme was originally envisaged under this section of the Finance Act 2013, which commenced in May 2015.

Senators will be aware that, as a result of the review, changes to the scheme were introduced in budget 2017 to enhance the uptake and effectiveness of the scheme. The principal changes were the extension of the residential element of the scheme to lessors; the removal of the requirement for the residential element of the scheme that the building must have been originally constructed for use as a dwelling; the removal of the floor area restrictions for the residential element of the scheme and the reduction of the minimum amount of capital expenditure required for eligibility to €5,000. The Minister has decided to extend the scheme for a further two and a half years providing for a sunset clause on 31 December 2022.