Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
30. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding a review of the help to buy scheme that would allow for second hand homes to be included rather than just allowing for new builds in the qualifying criteria. [69122/26]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a tax-based scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also aims to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand.
HTB provides a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
The level of support available to first time buyers under the HTB scheme, is whichever is the lesser of:
• €30,000; or
• 10 per cent of the purchase price of the new property; or
• the amount of Income Tax and DIRT paid in the four years before application for the relief.
For a property to qualify for the HTB scheme, it must be new or converted for use as a dwelling, having not previously been used as a dwelling. Additionally, the purchase value/approved valuation of the property must not exceed €500,000.
Based on the latest available data (31 August 2026), the scheme has supported over 69,000 individuals or couples to buy or build their own home.
In relation to second-hand properties, an increase in the supply of new housing remains a priority aim of Government policy. The HTB scheme is specifically designed to support the demand for affordable new build homes so as to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties.
The Programme for Government commits to the "retention and revision" of the HTB scheme. Any revisions to the HTB scheme would have to take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market, but these matters will be kept under review.
