Fine Gael Innovation spokesperson Deirdre Clune has described the Government's latest move on Mortgage Interest Relief as a 'mistake'.

The TD claimed it will put 'unnecessary pressure on families' during a month she said they face increased taxation levies due set to reduce their income.

"Families across the country surviving from month to month on tight budgets will find the latest Government mishap will put them under unnecessary pressure for the month of May," said Ms Clune.

May will see the introduction of the increased income levy and the increased health levy which is expected to reduce household incomes.

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"Now on top of this the loss of the Mortgage Interest Relief will make what was set to be a difficult month for Irish families even worse," said the Clare TD.

"Questions need to be asked about the competence of this Government and about the ability of the Minister for Finance to communicate with the Revenue Commissioners.

She asked: "Did the Minister introduce changes to the Mortgage Interest Relief scheme without checking with the Revenue Commissioners if it was possible in the timeframe he gave them?

"In his October budget the Minister for Finance announced the introduction of a car park levy and a second home levy both of which have proved problematic to introduce. In April he announced changes in pay and pensions for TDs and then backtracked on this.

"The Mortgage Interest Relief debacle is just the latest in this long list of Government mishaps," added Ms Clune.

(PR/JM)