Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
111. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider tax breaks and reliefs for landlords renting properties to third level students as an incentive and an attempt to alleviate the current renting crises for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27503/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to introduce an incentive along the lines suggested by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that tax reliefs and exemptions have costs which have to be paid for and their introduction must be considered only where there is a clear economic and social policy need to be addressed.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I receive numerous requests for the introduction of new tax reliefs and the extension of existing ones. He will also appreciate that I must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, reduce the tax base and make general reform of the tax system that much more difficult.
