Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to include mortgage holders who took out mortgages in 2009 in any new proposals for mortgage interest relief on the basis that in parts of the country prices did not fall significantly until after 2009, that tracker mortgages were not available in 2009 and therefore mortgage holders had to take out dearer variable mortgages, that the banks have increased the rates on variable mortgages significantly since to cover the increase in the cost of money due to their own recklessness and to cover the loss on tracker mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/11]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on increasing the mortgage tax relief period from seven years to 14 for those who purchased their homes between 2004 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8522/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 96 together.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress to weather the recession. The Government will examine a number of proposals, outlined in the Programme for Government, in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to making amendments to mortgage interest relief for homeowners in distress. When this proposal has been thoroughly examined and analysed and the findings and recommendations are presented to me, I will decide on the appropriate action to be taken. However, it is unlikely that any measures will be introduced before Budget 2012.