Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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317. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to review the criteria of the help-to-buy scheme to extend the period taken into consideration when calculating the amount of income tax paid by the applicant beyond four years for those who may have taken maternity leave from work during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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An increase in the supply of new housing remains a priority aim of Government policy.

The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also has as a key aim of the encouragement of additional supply of new houses by supporting demand. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.

The Programme for Government commits to the retention and revision of the HTB scheme. However, in relation to specific proposals for amendments to the scheme, and as the Deputy will appreciate, decisions regarding taxation measures are made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes, at the appropriate time and having regard to the sound management of the public finances.