Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Minister for Finance the impact on the net fiscal space for 2018 of retaining mortgage interest relief; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28684/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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If the Government decides in Budget 2018 to retain Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) on the same basis it currently applies, this would be neutral in fiscal space terms.  However I should point out that in Budget 2017 the Government confirmed its intention to extend MIR beyond the current end-date of December 2017 on a tapered basis to 2020, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.  This policy intention will be reviewed, along with the potential impact on fiscal space, as part of the Budget 2018 process.

A review of policy considerations relevant to a range of potential options for the tapered extension of the relief was contained in the Income Tax Reform Plan published by my Department in July last year and may be of interest to the Deputy. The plan is available at: