Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
104. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will raise the income thresholds for the affordable home purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/26]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home are at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability. These measures are supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.
Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, among other things, the new Starter Homes Programme delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
For affordable homes purchased under the Starter Home Purchase Scheme, purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their purchasing power, calculated as outlined in the Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023. There is no specific income thresholds for this Scheme, however, a purchaser must have an affordability gap of at least 5% of the Open Market Value of the home in question, in order to be eligible.
