I thank Deputies for their contributions. In my budget 2024 address, I acknowledged the challenges that we face in relation to housing and noted that it remains a top priority for Government. As part of the response to assist renters, I announced an increase of the rent tax credit to €750. This is to assist renters in the private rental sector with the affordability of their rent. The credit will continue to be available until the end of December 2025. Eligibility for the credit is also being extended to parents wh…

I thank all the Deputies who contributed there. I will make a few points on the numbers first of all, because that was raised. It is the case that when the tax credit was introduced in the budget last year, budget 2023, it was estimated that 400,000 individual persons would be eligible to claim the rent tax credit for 2022, and that the same figure was estimated for 2024, namely, 400,000 eligible individuals. However, rent tax credit claims are made on a taxpayer unit basis, so the numbers are not directly comparab…

I move amendment No. 14: In page 18, line 29, to delete " "qualifying loan" " and substitute " 'qualifying loan' ". This section of the Bill provides for the temporary one-year, mortgage interest tax relief that I announced on budget day. As indicated on Committee Stage, I am introducing amendments to this section to ensure the relief operates as intended. First, relief is available in respect of the increased interest paid in 2023 relative to 2022. The maximum amount of relievable interest is €6,250 which equates …

I move amendment No. 16: In page 19, to delete line 25 and substitute the following: “(b) (i) the upper limit, or (ii) where subsection (9) applies, the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (b) of that subsection;”.

I move amendment No. 17: In page 19, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “‘upper limit’ means €6,250 or, where subsection (5) applies, the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (b), as the case may be, of that subsection.”.

I move amendment No. 18: In page 20, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(5) Where, for a year of assessment, qualifying interest referred to in subsection (4) is for a period of less than 365 days, then— (a) where— (i) the number of days in the year of assessment to which ‘A’ in the formula in subsection (4) relates is less than 365 and the number of days in the year of assessment to which ‘B’ in the formula in subsection (4) relates is equal to 365, or (ii) the number of days in the year of assessm…

I move amendment No. 19: In page 20, line 28, to delete “(5) Where” and substitute “(6) Where”.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 20, line 33, to delete “(6) Where” and substitute “(7) Where”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 21, line 8, to delete “(7) A residential” and substitute “(8) A residential”.

I move amendment No. 22: In page 21, line 17, after “exist,” to insert “or”.

I move amendment No. 23: In page 21, to delete lines 18 to 25.

I move amendment No. 24: In page 21, line 26, to delete “(d) any interest” and substitute “(c) any interest”.

I move amendment No. 25: In page 21, line 31, to delete “(8) Notwithstanding” and substitute “(9) Notwithstanding”.

I move amendment No. 26: In page 21, to delete lines 37 to 40 and substitute the following: “(b) the upper limit shall be apportioned in respect of each of the individuals concerned in accordance with the formula— K x L/M where— K is the upper limit, L is the relievable interest in respect of the individual, and M is the relievable interest as determined by the formula in subsection (4) in respect of all of the individuals concerned in respect of the same qualifying property.”.

I move amendment No. 27: In page 21, to delete lines 41 and 42, and in page 22, to delete lines 1 to 3.

I move amendment No. 28: In page 22, line 4, to delete “(9) Notwithstanding” and substitute “(10) Notwithstanding”.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 22, line 13, to delete “(10) In making” and substitute “(11) In making”.

I move amendment No. 30: In page 22, line 36, to delete “subsection (8)(c)” and substitute “subsection (9)(b)”.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 23, line 5, to delete “(11) A qualifying” and substitute “(12) A qualifying”.

I move amendment No. 32: In page 23, line 8, to delete “subsection (10)(f)” and substitute “subsection (11)(f)”.