Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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247. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to include a tax relief for persons who were first time buyers and did not purchase buy to let properties but have been forced to rent their homes due to negative equity, unemployment or other reasons unforeseen when the homes were originally purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33974/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of, and have sympathy for, the difficulties some mortgage holders are encountering as a result of finding themselves in the situations which you have outlined in your question.

My officials are currently examining this matter as part of the normal budgetary deliberative process. However, there are a considerable number of complex policy issues that would need to be examined and addressed before I could consider tax relief as a potential solution to the matter.

Notwithstanding the above, it is worth noting that a recent research note from the ESRI, shows a reduction of 45,000 approximately (on 2012 figures) in the number of mortgage loans in negative equity up to the end of 2013 and a further reduction is forecast for 2014. In addition, the Deputy will also be aware of the improving situation as regards employment in the economy.