Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Finance if a person who is currently unemployed and may have savings can avail of the home renovation incentive scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45152/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I introduced the Home Renovation Incentive in Finance (No. 2) Act 2013. The aim of the incentive is to support tax compliant building contractors by moving activity out of the shadow economy into the legitimate economy. I have also extended the scheme in the recent Budget to include owners of rental properties who are subject to income tax.

The incentive provides tax relief for homeowners/landlords by way of a tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure incurred on repair, renovation or improvement work carried out on a qualifying residence. In order to qualify for the tax credit, the works must be carried out by legitimate contractors and the homeowner/landlord must also be property tax compliant. A minimum of €4,405 excluding VAT must be spent on qualifying works. This threshold can be reached over a number of jobs. Relief is available on qualifying expenditure up to a maximum of €30,000, excluding VAT.

The scheme is administered through Revenue's online systems. Contractors are required to inform Revenue in advance of details of works to be carried out and are also required to notify Revenue in relation to any payments received in respect of the works. Homeowners/landlords are able to view the information provided to Revenue by the contractor through the Revenue electronic systems and to claim the relief through those systems. 

The HRI is designed to be set against income tax and I have no plans to extend this initiative to individuals who have no tax liability. However, the tax credit is being provided over a period of two years in order to assist those with low incomes. In addition, unused credits may be carried forward to future years.

It is worth noting that the SEAI operates the Better Energy Homes Scheme where cash grants are provided for qualifying works. The SEAI also install energy efficiency measures at no cost to qualifying individuals under the Warmer Homes Scheme. Further information on these schemes is available on the SEAI website,