Vol. 567 No. 3
119 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of first time buyers who registered as such with the Revenue Commissioners in 2002 up to and including 4 December 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/03]
I assume the Deputy requires the number of first time buyers qualifying for income tax relief in respect of mortgage interest who commenced claiming the relief between 1 January 2002 and budget day on 4 December 2002.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of claimants who registered as first time buyers in the tax relief at source system in the calendar year 2002 to avail of the tax relief is 37,923. This figure is based on processed 2002 annual returns submitted by the relevant mortgage lenders. A number of returns are still being finalised or processed but the inclusion of these is not expected to increase the final figures to any significant degree.
It is not possible to limit the figures provided to 4 December, 2002. A married couple claiming the first-time buyer tax relief is counted in the figures as one unit.
First time buyer tax relief is available in respect of borrowings used to acquire new and secondhand houses. A breakdown of the number of claimants between the two types of house property is not available.
