Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance when he plans to implement the Programme for Government commitment to increase the mortgage interest relief available to persons who purchased their principal private residence between 2004 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17946/11]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will be making a statement this month regarding mortgage interest relief which promised the increase of mortgage interest relief to 30% for first time buyers in 2004-08 financing it in part by bringing forward the abolition of relief for new buyers from June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17967/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 100 together.

The position is that there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress. 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.

When this proposal has been thoroughly examined, I will decide on the appropriate action to be taken. However, any measures will not be introduced before Budget 2012.