Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
236. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline all of the supports available to a person building a house for the first time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26980/24]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed in the Housing for All strategy, the Government has introduced a number of measures to support households and individuals wishing to purchase or build a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with a target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030.
The First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. In addition, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/ .
The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used for both new and second-hand properties, or for self-builds. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available on the website: www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie/
In addition, the Ready to Build Scheme was launched in September 2022. Under the scheme, local authorities make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individual purchasers. These sites are available at a discount up to a maximum of €30,000 below market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
The Help to Buy incentive supports first time buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Further details of this scheme are available here: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx .
Finally, on 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
The schemes originally applied for 1 year to all permitted residential development, including self-build and one off rural houses, that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced up to 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced up to 30 September 2024.
