Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 74: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief at source provided for each year since 2002; the expected cost of the scheme in 2012; the amount that would be saved if the average interest rate on qualifying mortgages was 0.5% less than projected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40228/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief by way of tax relief at source (TRS) in each of the years 2002 to 2011 inclusive is as follows:

· This figure is provisional and subject to revision.

A forecast of the expected cost of mortgage interest relief for the year 2012 is €420 million.

The reduced cost of tax relief that would arise if average interest on qualifying mortgages was 0.5% less than projected would depend on a variety of factors, including the numbers of mortgages affected, the rate of relief applying to those mortgages and the extent to which the lower relief would fall below the current ceilings. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the potential saving.