I propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 159 and 160 together.
I am informed by Revenue that the number of mortgage accounts in receipt of tax relief at source in respect of mortgage interest in each year from 2010 to 2015 (to date), is as set out in the following table. The projected cost of mortgage interest relief in 2015 is estimated to be in the order of €275 million.
Year
|
Number of Mortgage Accounts
|
2010
|
349,500
|
2011
|
352,800
|
2012
|
355,400
|
2013
|
351,200
|
2014
|
331,200
|
2015 (to date)
|
323,500
|
The cost of increasing the rate of tax relief at source that applies in 2015 to 40% and 50%, for those that took out a qualifying loan between 2004 and 2008, is tentatively estimated at €49m and €98m per annum respectively.
Finally, I am further informed by Revenue that the cost of increasing the ceiling in 2015 of €3,000 interest for tax relief at source, for those that took out a qualifying loan between 2004 and 2008, to €4,000 and €5,000 is tentatively estimated at €22m and €38m per annum respectively. These estimates take into account commensurate increases in the €6,000 ceiling applicable to married couples and civil partners.