Tax Reliefs

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Questions (63, 64, 65, 66)

Tom Brabazon

Question:

63. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering increasing the maximum property purchase price under the help-to-buy scheme. [36552/25]

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Tom Brabazon

Question:

64. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering expanding the help to buy scheme to include second hand homes. [36555/25]

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Tom Brabazon

Question:

65. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing a tax credit for first-time buyers to assist with legal, survey and valuation costs. [36556/25]

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Conor Sheehan

Question:

66. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Finance the plans to increase the income thresholds for the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36559/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 to 66, inclusive, together.

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.

In relation to the maximum property purchase price under HTB, a comprehensive independent review of the scheme was carried out by external consultants in 2022. While this review included a number of recommended amendments to the scheme, it did not recommend an increase to the €500,000 house price limit.

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.

In relation to Deputy Brabazon's question concerning a tax credit for first-time buyers to assist with legal, survey and valuation costs, I have no plans, at present, to introduce such a relief.

In relation to the matter of income thresholds raised by Deputy Sheehan, the Deputy might note that HTB eligibility is not determined by income thresholds, rather (and subject to the other conditions of the scheme) it is a refund of Income TAX and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the four years of assessment prior to the claim. The maximum amount of a claim is, necessarily, limited by the amount of the relevant tax paid by the claimant over the four year period.

Finally, the Programme for Government commits to the retention and revision of the HTB scheme. As the Deputies will appreciate, any revisions to the scheme would have to be considered as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes at the appropriate time, and take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market. Furthermore, any such decisions must also have regard to available resources and the sound management of the public finances.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 63.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 63.

Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 63.