Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown on the amount that has been collected in stamp duty on homes from first time buyers and second-hand home purchasers over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34885/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information with regard to the yield over the past five years from Stamp Duty on residential properties broken down between first-time buyers and other buyers, is set out in the following table:

Stamp Duty data on residential property transactions is not captured in such a manner that would enable a breakdown to be provided between second- hand and new residential properties. However, as the majority of new houses purchased are exempt from Stamp Duty - only new properties in excess of 125 square metres for owner-occupiers or new properties purchased as investments are liable to Stamp Duty - it could be reasonably assumed that the bulk of Stamp Duty paid in respect of residential property is from second-hand properties.

First-time buyers are identifiable where they qualified for the first-time buyer relief and paid Stamp Duty at a lower rate than other buyers. As Stamp Duty rates for property transactions exceeding €635,000 on or after 2 December 2004 were the same for all residential purchasers, it is not possible to distinguish first time buyer transactions in excess of these values. First time buyers were exempted from Stamp Duty in relation to instruments executed on or after 31 March 2007. This is why there is a 'nil' response for 2008 and 2009 – in these years, Stamp Duty was not collected in respect of first time buyers because they were exempt. The figures for yield provided in the table are based on the yield arising from transaction documents stamped at any time during the years in question. The total yield accounted for in this way does not coincide entirely with figures normally compiled and reported on a cash receipts basis brought to account in the year.