The so-called 'bank of mom and dad' is a target under new tax proposals, according to one expert.
A Government-appointed commission on taxation has recommended there should be a "substantial" reduction in the amount of money parents can leave to their children tax-free.
Under current Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) rules, a child can inherit €335,000 from their parents before they have to pay tax at 33%.
David Quinn is managing director of Investwise. He told The Pat Kenny Show this is a result of a need to diversify taxes.
"There is clearly some political pressure coming on them from a number of different angles.
"I think they want to diversify their tax take - we saw the tax numbers last week so heavily reliant on corporate taxes.
"And I think also looming changes in the government in the next general election to a more left-leaning government probably is influencing this Government to maybe get ahead of some changes that might be coming down the line.
"I do think the bank of mom and dad... is a target, and they're worried about that and how it might be influencing the housing market."
'Hugely politically unpopular'
Family law solicitor Keith Walsh has said the threshold shouldn't be changed.
"I think that any change to the threshold is going to cause huge issues.
"The housing difficulties faced by people all over the country... mean that - I suppose what they used to call the bank of mom and dad - is going to be under pressure.
"We also have a relatively high percentage rate - in that it's 33% on everything over €335,000 - that would be gifted to a child.
"So when you combine both of those things, any drop of the threshold is going to lead to difficulties.
"I think it'd be hugely politically unpopular, and I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do".
He added: "An alternative would be where you might reduce the rate to 20%, or 30% or 25% - and then remove the threshold.
"So you've a degree of payment, but the threshold is lower".
