Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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338. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider raising the price cap of the help-to-buy scheme given the continuing increases house price inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37824/25]

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.

HTB provides 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.

Based on the latest available data (30 May 2025), the HTB scheme has supported more than 56,000 individuals or couples to buy their own home, of which around 86 per cent of claims were for properties which did not exceed €450,000 in value.

In addition to the conditions laid down in section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), including that the property is occupied as the sole or main residence of a first time purchaser, section 477C(2) defines a ‘qualifying residence’. The legislation is very specific as to the definition of a qualifying residence. It must be a new building which was not, at any time, used or suitable for use as a dwelling. If the property was non-residential, but has been converted for residential use, it may qualify for HTB. Renovation or refurbishment of old houses to either upgrade or reinstate them for habitation does not qualify for HTB.

In relation to second-hand properties generally, an increase in the supply of new housing remains a priority aim of Government policy. As mentioned above, the HTB scheme is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for affordable new build homes in order to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Programme for Government commits to the "retention and revision" of the HTB scheme. 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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Minister for Finance if there are any limitations to extending tax relief to commuters for the purposes to incentive the take-up of sustainable travel services provided by commercial operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38453/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have interpreted the Deputy's question as referring to the Taxsaver scheme, which, as the Deputy may be aware, is provided for in section 118(5A) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA). The scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a travel pass for one of their employees or directors, subject to certain conditionality.Under section 118B TCA, an employer and employee may also enter into a Revenue-approved salary sacrifice arrangement under which the employee agrees to sacrifice part of his or her salary in exchange for the benefit.

Where a travel pass is purchased under the BIK scheme or through a salary sacrifice arrangement certain conditions must be met, for example:

• the cost incurred must relate to a monthly or annual bus, railway or ferry travel pass;
• the travel pass must be issued by or on behalf of one or more approved transport providers; and
• the approved transport provider must be contracted or licensed to provide the transport services covered by the travel pass.