Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
176. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider expanding the criteria for help-to-buy in order for more essential workers to have access to the scheme and to settle in the areas they work in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. An increase in the supply of new housing remains a central and priority aim of Government policy. For this reason, HTB is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for new build homes in order to support the construction of an additional supply of such properties.
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.
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.
The Programme for Government 2025 commits to the retention and revision of the HTB scheme. However, 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, having regard to the sound management of the public finances and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market.
