Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32432/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, during the Committee Stage debate on Finance Bill 2016, my predecessor agreed to commission an independent impact assessment on the effects of the Help to Buy incentive for completion prior to Budget 2018. Following a competitive tender process, Indecon Economic Consultants were appointed in April to undertake this assessment.

This purpose of the project, in general, is to assess whether the policy objectives on the supply of new homes are being met, what impact (if any) the scheme is having on new and second-hand house prices, and what impact the scheme is having on the residential property market generally.

Once received from Indecon, the contents and findings of the report will be considered and I will decide on any appropriate action(s) to take in relation to its findings, in the context of my deliberations as part of the annual budgetary process.

I would take this opportunity to reassure members of the public who may be in the process of applying for the Help to Buy incentive, or those who currently have applications pending, that speculation concerning its abolition will not impact negatively on their applications. I would propose to signal well in advance, any proposed changes to the incentive following my consideration of the Indecon report.