Help-to-buy scheme error
Deputy Moynihan said some applicants had been wrongly told by Revenue that they qualified for the help-to-buy scheme and now faced repayment and penalties. The Finance Minister said he would meet Revenue, follow up directly, and was not yet aware of the scale of the issue.
An issue has developed within the Revenue Commissioners. Page 29 of the programme for Government outlines the help-to-buy scheme. I understand that because of the software in the Revenue Commissioners some people who applied for the help-to-buy scheme were given a commitment in error by the Revenue Commissioners that they qualified for the scheme. Following an audit of the help-to-buy scheme, letters issued on 7 and 8 March regarding this issue and people are being told they are no longer entitled to join the scheme. They are being told they will have to repay the money, pay a fine of €3,000 or €5,000 and an interest rate per day of a percentage of that. Depending on how that is calculated, it comes to more than €100,000. Is the Minister taking control of this very serious issue? People have contacted me about it and they are frightened by the documents coming from the Revenue Commissioners. I understand some officials are trying to resolve it, but what is the Government's solution to the issue?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. I will be meeting the Revenue Commissioners soon. I have regular engagements with the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners on many matters. I will follow up directly on this issue and revert to the Deputy with a response.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware of the issue?
Comment on this
I am not aware of the scale of the issue to which he has referred.