Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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185. To ask the Minister for Finance if the definition of a first-time buyer under the help-to-buy scheme will be clarified; if a first-time buyer includes applicants who are separated or divorced if they meet certain conditions as set out in a similar scheme, namely the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5366/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Help to Buy Scheme as provided for in section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, a first time buyer is defined as follows:

" 'first-time purchaser' means an individual who, at the time of a claim under subsection (3) has not, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or previously built, directly or indirectly, on his or her own behalf a dwelling;"

The intention is to target assistance towards those who have not had the opportunity to build up equity in another property which could be used to purchase the second or subsequent property.

I do not propose amending the definition of first time buyer for the purposes of the scheme.