Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 1:

In page 12, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "Report on Help-to-Buy Scheme

7.The Minister shall within 6 months of the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the operation of the Help-to-Buy Scheme and its uptake, both in its original form and its enhanced form. ".

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to the House. The Finance Bill is a really important document. There has been a great deal of work done on the help-to-buy scheme to date and many people have been able to avail of it and benefit from it. We are proposing that there be a review of the takeup of the scheme with a view to enhancing it. It would be useful to look at the figures now and in a couple of months time. The recommendation proposes that the Minister would report back to the Houses in six months time on how many additional people have availed of the scheme. It has been a very worthwhile scheme. I have worked with a number of families in my area in Limerick who have found it very beneficial.