Róisín Shortall
Question:127 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of first time buyers grants which were granted in each of the past five years. [2738/01]
Written Answers. - Housing Grants.
The information requested on the number of grants paid under the new house grant scheme for 1996 to 1999 and the first three quarters of 2000 is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Information in relation to the final quarter of 2000 will be contained in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin 2000 which is due for publication by the end of March.
Noel Ahern
Question:128 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures that have been taken to assist young couples to purchase second-hand houses; if the first time buyer's grant or some other measure can be made available to qualifying applicants who purchase second hand homes; if this or other grants will be made available for second hand houses as assistance towards energy saving measures as was previously mooted; the stamp duty categories for second hand house purchases; if he can make alterations in the present bans to allow houses, selling at £180,000 approximately to avail of the exemption up to £150,000; if these bands will be adjusted on an annual basis to allow for price changes in houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/01]
In June last the Government introduced a wide range of measures in Action on Housing including measures to discourage speculators pricing first time buyers out of home ownership; major reductions in stamp duty with an exemption from stamp duty for first time buyers purchasing a second hand house priced up to £150,000; and significant improvements to the terms and conditions of a number of the social housing options including the local authority shared ownership and affordable housing schemes. The indications to date of the impact of the measures taken in Action on Housing are positive. House price increases are moderating, housing output has increased and first time buyers are gaining an increasing share of the new housing market.
The first time buyers grant offers assistance to people who are first time purchasers of new houses. I have no proposals to extend the grant to first time purchasers of second hand houses as any additional grant aid would, in present market circumstances, be likely to be absorbed in higher prices.
The Government's National Climate Change Strategy published in October 2000 contains a commitment to adjusting the new house grant to encourage energy efficiency in new housing. Work on developing this commitment is under way in my Department.
The stamp duty categories for second hand houses are as follows.
|
Purchase Price Thresholds |
FTBs buying for own occupation |
Existing Owner Occupiers buying for own occupation |
Investors |
|
Up to £100,000 |
Nil |
Nil |
9.00% |
|
£100,001-£150,000 |
Nil |
3.00% |
9.00% |
|
£150,001-£200,000 |
3.00% |
4.00% |
9.00% |
|
£200,001-£250,000 |
3.75% |
5.00% |
9.00% |
|
£250,001-£300,000 |
4.50% |
6.00% |
9.00% |
|
£300,001-£500,000 |
7.50% |
7.50% |
9.00% |
|
Over £500,000 |
9.00% |
9.00% |
9.00% |
Amendments to the stamp duty code are a matter for the Minister for Finance.