Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
372. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify eligibility criteria for a Local Authority home loan; if a person who is the primary earner and applicant must be in the same role for a period of two years or if continuous employment can mean that the person remained employed but changed jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15715/26]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders to purchase or build a home. The loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used for both the purchase of new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The primary earner on an application for a LAHL must have at least two years continuous employment in Ireland or Northern Ireland (this can be self-employment). Continuous employment does not need to be permanent, but broadly continuous in nature. This means that an applicant may have been in more than one employment over a two-year period; however, the break from employment cannot have been for more than 4 weeks.
