Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
62. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of approved applications under the help-to-buy scheme to date in 2017; the estimated cost of the scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42438/17]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that statistics on the help-to-buy, HTB, scheme are available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/htb.aspx.
These statistics, which are updated on a monthly basis (mostly recently at end September), provide a range of information in respect of the scheme, including the number of approved applications and the estimated total cost of approved HTB claims to date.
As of 29 September, the number of applications received for the help-to-buy, HTB, inventive was 10,547, of which 7,341 have been approved. Some 4,088 claims have been made, of which 3,451 have been approved.
The estimated total value of approved HTB claims to date is in the order of €49.4 million, of which €15.2 million represent retrospective claims (for the period 19 July to 31 December 2016).
At the time of Budget 2017, it was estimated that the HTB scheme would cost €40 million per annum but €50 million in 2017 due to the backdating of the relief in respect of properties which became eligible for the scheme since 19 July 2016. Currently, the estimate of €40 million for claims relating to 2017 remains valid.
