Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish mortgage interest relief for first time buyers in June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9619/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Finance the date on which mortgage interest relief for first time buyers in 2004 - 2008 will be increased as stated in the programme for Government. [9781/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 176 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 in relation to this commitment.

One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and to finance this in part by abolishing mortgage interest relief for new buyers from June 2011.

When this proposal has been thoroughly examined and analyzed 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.