Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders who lost entitlement to mortgage interest relief following his decision to abolish mortgage interest relief for those with a mortgage for more than seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24400/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders currently in receipt of mortgage interest relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24401/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of mortgage interest relief to the State per annum in the years 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24402/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of recipients of mortgage interest relief who received less than €500, between €500 and €999, between €1,000 and €1,499, between €1,500 and €1,999, between €2,000 and €2,499 and more than €2,500 in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24403/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of recipients of mortgage interest relief who were in receipt of relief on a fixed rate mortgage, a variable rate mortgage and on a tracker mortgage in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24404/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 to 121, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief paid by way of tax relief at source (TRS) in each of the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive is as follows:

Tax Year Cost [€m]

2004 230

2005 280

2006 350

2007 545

2008 705

At the end of 2008, there were approximately 564,000 mortgage accounts in respect of which mortgage interest relief was being paid through the main lenders. Using the information already available through its own systems and by working with the lenders, the Revenue Commissioners were able to establish the entitlement status of 430,000 mortgage accounts (76% of the total of 564,000 mortgage accounts) under the new seven-year rule for the payment of tax relief as announced in the Supplementary Budget measures. Of those, 276,000 were determined as eligible for tax relief post 1 May. 242,000 of that 276,000 have been getting the relief since 1 May, the remaining 34,000 have been getting the relief since 1 June and any arrears of mortgage interest relief due for the month of May is also being paid automatically through the TRS system. 154,000 were determined as ineligible for tax relief post 1 May.

In the case of the remaining approximately 134,000 mortgage accounts (24% of the total) definitive entitlement or non-entitlement to mortgage interest relief could not be established by the Revenue Commissioners without making direct contact with the mortgage account holder. The Revenue Commissioners have now written to the majority of these mortgage account holders advising them of the new seven year rule. Where these account holders feel they have an entitlement to mortgage interest relief they are asked to provide certain information about the account to the Revenue Commissioners. The remaining more complex cases involving top up loans are in the course of being written to by the Revenue Commissioners.

From the responses received, the Revenue Commissioners have acquired the additional information needed to determine continued eligibility in the case of a further 26,000 accounts. Arising from this information the Revenue Commissioners will now recommence mortgage interest relief from 1 July for these 26,000 accounts. Any arrears of tax relief due back to 1 May will also be paid automatically through the TRS system.

A breakdown of tax relief paid through TRS by range of the amount on the lines sought by the Deputy is not available to Revenue Commissioners. Similarly, information on the number of recipients who are on fixed, variable or tracker mortgages is not available to the Revenue Commissioners.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Finance his position regarding mortgage interest relief in view of his announcement in the 7 April 2009 supplementary budget speech that there were proposals to abolish this relief in a future budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24405/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that any decision to abolish mortgage interest relief would create hardship for homeowners, especially those on fixed rate mortgages who have not benefited from reduced repayments in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24406/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Commission on Taxation is examining the issue of mortgage interest relief; if so, the consultation and discussions they have undertaken in consideration of this issue with relevant and affected groups and consumers in view of the fact that this issue was not in their original terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24407/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together.

The position in relation to mortgage interest relief is as set out in my Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The Government believes that in these times of scarce resources support should be targeted at those most in need. Accordingly, from 1 May 2009 mortgage interest relief has been limited to the first seven years of a mortgage. The relief is now targeted at those who bought their home when prices were at their peak while also supporting those who wish to move, improve or buy for the first time. As house prices fall the provision of mortgage interest relief will be kept under review with a view to eventual abolition.

I appreciate, of course, that fixed rate mortgage holders do not benefit from the recent reduction in interest rates. However, my understanding is that over 60% of fixed rate mortgages are fixed for between one and three years and this cohort should be able to avail of the current low interest rates once the fixed period has expired.

I am aware that the Commission on Taxation is considering the issue of mortgage interest relief and I will be informed by its proposals on this matter. I am not aware of the day to day consultations and discussions the Commission is undertaking in its consideration of the issue. This is of course, a matter entirely for the Commission itself as it sees fit. The terms of references of the Commission on Taxation are broadly defined, far-reaching and allow for consideration of all aspects of the taxation system. This would naturally include a consideration of mortgage interest relief.