Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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174. To ask the Minister for Finance if further assistance will be provided for a couple (details supplied) in County Kildare to purchase their own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44910/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Supporting people to buy their first home is a key priority for this Government. To support this aim, the Help to Buy (HTB) assists first-time purchasers with the 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.

I understand the nature of the circumstances highlighted by the Deputy, however the current position is that purchasers taking out a mortgage of less than 70% loan-to-value (LTV) do not qualify for the HTB incentive. Revenue have advised that a mortgage provided by a qualifying lender is the sole finance relevant for determining the loan aspect of the LTV ratio for HTB.

The Deputy may be aware that HTB is subject to a sunset clause which expires on 31 December 2022 and that it has also been subject to an independent review by external consultants, Mazars, ahead of Budget 2023.

With less than two weeks to go to the Budget, the Deputy will understand that I am not in a position to comment further on the scheme at this time.