Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Finance if changes will be made to the help to buy grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25475/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 an aim to encourage 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 design of the scheme aligns with Revenue’s standard operational four-year look-back period.

Furthermore, in the interests of equity, any extension to the Revenue look-back beyond four years would have to apply to all HTB applicants, not just returning emigrants, thus leading to further cost implications for the Exchequer.

The Programme for Government commits to the retention and revision of the HTB scheme. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, any revisions to the scheme would have to be considered as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes and take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market.