Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 5

Written Answers. - Construction Industry Subsidy.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

50 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by the governor of the Central Bank to the Society of Chartered Surveyors on 28 February 1991 in relation to the extent of subsidy by the Exchequer to the construction industry in general and the housing sector in particular; if he has any proposals to respond to the comments made by the governor; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the governor's remarks about the costs of mortgage interest tax relief and "section 23" concessions.

The Government's policy in relation to these housing related tax reliefs has already been made clear in the recent budget. As the Deputy knows, the question of Government policy for the housing sector is a matter for the Minister for the Environment in the first instance.