Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 13 May 2025, his Department's plans to review the help-to-buy scheme to allow for the admission of potential applicants in such circumstances given the potential number of first-time purchasers who may similarly affected over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27079/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 13 May 2025, Section 477C(1) TCA 1997 defines a ‘qualifying residence’ as a new building which was not, at any time, used, or suitable for use, as a dwelling.

Section 477C(17)(b) TCA 1997 provides for a claw back of HTB where the minimum occupation period of five years is not met. This claw-back provision is not related to the HTB scheme’s eligibility rules, nor is it related to the definition of a ‘qualifying residence.’ As such, while a claw-back has occurred in relation to a property previously considered a ‘qualifying residence,’ this has no effect on whether the property meets the definition of a ‘qualifying residence’ for the purpose of the HTB scheme.

Revenue advised that, as per the information presented in the reply to the Parliamentary Question of 13 May 2025, that property, used by its previous owners as a dwelling, does not come within the definition of a ‘qualifying residence’ for the purpose of the HTB scheme.

I have no plans, at present, to review the help-to-buy scheme as proposed by the Deputy.