Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports currently available to first-time buyers purchasing second-hand homes; if there are any plans to introduce additional supports for this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4665/26]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030.
The new Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
The Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to increase housing supply, including through the new Starter Homes Programme with a view to delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030. With a strong focus on delivery, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter homes, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.
While the focus is on increased and accelerated delivery of new homes, there are some schemes that may be used to support the purchase of second-hand homes including:
• Local Authority Home Loan:
• assists first time buyers, who have been unable to obtain finance from traditional mortgage providers, to buy or build a home.
• Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan
• assists first time buyers, who have been unable to obtain finance from traditional mortgage providers, to buy and renovate a vacant or derelict property
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
• assists purchasers of vacant or derelict properties to turn a vacant house or building into a permanent home or a rental property
• First Homes Scheme (Tenant Purchase Product):
• supports first time buyers to buy their rented home if they have received a notice of Termination because the landlord intends to sell the property.
Information on these initiatives is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/.
There is also a commitment in the new housing Plan, for the Government to work with the Banks to expand the First Home Scheme to support first time buyers seeking to purchase and renovate derelict or long-term vacant properties. In this context, I have requested the First Home Scheme to undertake the required analytical and technical work to examine the potential for such an expansion and the matter is under consideration.
