Written answers

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Department of Finance

Help-To-Buy Scheme Data

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the operation of the help-to-buy scheme in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6975/17]

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

159. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have applied under the first-time buyer scheme as announced in budget 2017; the counties they applied from, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7328/17]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 159 together.

The Help To Buy (HTB) scheme is available nationally and individuals are required to complete a two-stage online process; an application and then a claim.  I am advised by Revenue that the number of Help To Buy applications received up to 10 February 2017 was:

No. of ApplicationsSuccessful applications*Pending
25866201,966

*Pending means that the applicant either has to file an outstanding return, or address a compliance issue, or the application is to be reviewed by Revenue, or the applicant needs to finalise his or her application. 

The purpose of the application stage of the Help To Buy process is such that would-be first-time buyers can determine whether, and to what extent, they qualify for the incentive.  As the data from the application stage are only an indicator as to possible take-up of the incentive, for example, an applicant may not proceed to claim stage or may not get mortgage approval, the application statistics are not collated by County.

At the claim stage, however, Help To Buy claimants are required to provide information on the location of the qualifying residence and therefore Revenue is in a position to provide certain details on the location of Help To Buy claims made.  However, to protect the confidentiality of taxpayer information, I can only provide a breakdown based on properties situated in Dublin and in provincial locations. Up to 10 February 2017, Revenue has processed 205 claims and the relevant breakdown is as follows:

LocationNumber
Connacht/ Ulster15
Dublin83
Leinster (outside Dublin)63
Munster44
Total205 

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.