Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has criticised the government for locking lower income households out of the mortgage interest tax credit.

Deputy Doherty said that the government had denied many low-income households access to financial support by design and called for the scheme to be reformed.

Teachta Doherty said:

“The Government has purposely and callously denied many low-income households access to the mortgage interest tax credit.

“There are many households, including lone parent families who have seen their mortgage costs increase by thousands of euros, who are being denied financial support because their incomes are too low.

“The government have designed a tax credit knowing that many of those who need support most will not get it.

“Workers and families who are greatly struggling with their mortgage costs are being denied of State support because their incomes are too low – while a government minister or bank CEO is able to receive this tax credit.

“This is how out of touch this government is.

“Five months ago, Minister Donohoe promised that mortgage support would be provided to households who could not claim this tax credit – where is it?

“The Minister broke a promise with many households left out in the cold and receiving no support whatsoever.

“For over a year, Sinn Féin campaigned for the introduction of targeted mortgage interest relief to be applied at source.

“If our proposals had been implemented, every struggling household that is facing soaring mortgage costs would have received relief and support.

“Instead, under this government, many lower income households and lone parent families are being denied support because, in the eyes of this government, their incomes are too low.

“This is a disgraceful situation that must be addressed.”