Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Finance the assistance available to assist first-time buyers in the property market in the context of Budget 2022; the number of persons these measures will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54341/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the assistance available to assist first-time buyers in the property market in the context of Budget 2022, I can only answer in respect of taxation measures. Direct expenditure measures are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

With regard to taxation measures, the Deputy will be aware of the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme. The HTB incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with a deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. 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.

In my recent Budget speech, I indicated that Finance Bill 2021 would include a provision extending the Help to Buy scheme for one further year to the end of 2022. Bearing in mind that HTB is a demand-led scheme which is subject to a broad range of variables, including housing completion rates and prices, it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the number of persons this measure will benefit. However, the data below on approved HTB claims per annum from 2017-2021 (YTD) could be considered indicative:

* To 30 September 2021

I also announced in my Budget 2022 speech that the scheme will be formally reviewed in the course of 2022. My intention is that this review will be fundamental in nature.