Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has costed a proposal whereby the stamp duty paid by first time buyers in the past would be treated as a credit against the liabilities for stamp duty going forward; the expected cost of the proposal; if he has asked the Revenue Commissioners to undertake a study of this form of relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government 2007-2105 provided that the Government would "Legislate immediately to abolish stamp duty for all first-time buyers and make this change retrospective for all deeds presented for stamping to the Revenue Commissioners on or after 30th April 2007".

The Finance (No 2) Act 2007, which was enacted prior to the summer adjournment dealt with this commitment.

I have no plans for any further changes in stamp duty.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of claimants who availed of rent relief for 2004, 2005 and 2006; and the cost of the tax relief for these years. [20824/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent year for which complete information on cost to the Exchequer and numbers of claimants for tax relief in relation to claims for rent paid in private tenancies is for the income tax year 2004.

In that year an estimated 118,500 claimants availed of the tax relief for rent paid in private tenancies at an estimated total cost to the Exchequer of €33 million.