Michael McGrath
Question:81. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to make a decision on the future of the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31989/17]
View answerThursday, 6 July 2017
Questions (81)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, during the Committee Stage debate on Finance Bill 2016, my predecessor agreed to commission an independent impact assessment on the effects of the Help to Buy incentive for completion prior to Budget 2018. Following a competitive tender process, Indecon Economic Consultants were appointed in April to undertake this assessment.
This purpose of the project, in general, is to assess whether the policy objectives on the supply of new homes are being met, what impact (if any) the scheme is having on new and second-hand house prices, and what impact the scheme is having on the residential property market generally.
Any moves to amend or suspend the incentive prior to the completion of this report, which is scheduled for the end of August, would effectively pre-judge the outcome of the analysis. Once received from Indecon, the contents and findings of the report will be considered and I will decide on any appropriate action(s) to take in relation to its findings, in the context of my deliberations as part of the annual budgetary process.
Finally, I would like to reassure members of the public who may be in the process of applying for the Help to Buy incentive, or those who currently have applications pending, that speculation concerning its abolition will not impact negatively on their applications. I would propose to signal well in advance, any proposed changes to the incentive following my consideration of the Indecon report.