Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Finance the tax incentives and reliefs that will be available to owners of properties in rural towns and villages following on from the Government's launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11935/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The recently launched "Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development" by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contains a detailed list of actions and priorities with a view to revitalising rural Ireland generally. This effort is being led by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in conjunction with Ministers and officials from other Departments, as well as the Local Authorities and a range of other stakeholders. A variety of actions included in this plan aim to assist in improving rural towns and making rural Ireland a better place to live. These include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, under which funding of up to €12 million per annum is available to revitalise rural towns and villages, while there is also a commitment to develop and pilot an initiative to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres.

My Department is engaged in a range of actions relating to the action plan including tax related measures for the farming and fisheries sectors. However, the action plan does not provide for additional tax incentive schemes targeted specifically at the owners of property in rural towns and villages. However, the Deputy may be aware of a number of tax incentives that are already available to the owners of residential property in all areas, including rural towns and villages.

The Home Renovation Incentive provides for an income tax credit for homeowners or landlords of residential property, who carry out repair, renovation or improvement works on their property. It provides for tax relief by way of an income tax credit of 13.5% of qualifying expenditure. Qualifying work must cost a minimum of €5,000 (including VAT). The maximum qualifying cost for the purpose of the incentive is (€30,000 including VAT), which equates to a maximum credit of €4,050. The tax credit is payable over two years following the year in which the work is paid for and I have extended the scheme for a further two years in the recent Budget.

In addition, (limited) relief is available for expenditure on approved gardens and buildings in the State in accordance with Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. To qualify for this relief the relevant building must be determined by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to be of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and the Revenue Commissioners must be satisfied that reasonable access to the building is afforded to the public.