Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered the possibility that the abrupt reversion of help-to-buy terms to those which applied before the July stimulus package might create a distortion in the housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29183/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Help To Buy (HTB) incentive, announced in Budget 2017 is designed to assist first-time buyers with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment to live in as their home. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.

HTB is due to terminate on 31 December 2021, in line with the two year extension that I provided for in Finance Act 2019. The additional enhancement to the incentive, which applies from 23 July 2020 and is set out in the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020, is scheduled to terminate on 31 December 2020.

As the Deputy will appreciate, with a week to go, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on measures or issues that may or may not be addressed in the annual Budget.