Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2025
217. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding affordable support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66723/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby 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, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.
In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, work to further extend the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.
With a strong focus on deliverability, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter home supports, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide including those who may have previously rented.
A list of affordable housing supports currently in place is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/, this includes information on the schemes below, some of which are intended to support renters who want to own their own home. A number of these schemes can be combined, thereby providing additional affordability support.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme provides finance to help first time buyers, self-builders or those making a fresh start to bridge the gap between a deposit and mortgage, and the price of a new home. This Scheme takes a percentage ownership of your home, which you can buy back later. For more information on the scheme visit www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme (FHS) is also available to tenants who are looking to purchase the property they are renting, where they have received a Notice of Termination from their landlord, as the landlord is putting the property on the market. This is known as the Tenant Home Purchase product (THP). It allows an applicant to purchase the house or apartment they have been renting in a private development. For more information, visit https://www.firsthomescheme.ie/product-type/tenant-home-purchase.
Local Authority Home Loan
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage through a commercial mortgage lender. The scheme is for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties and for self-builds. It also includes the purchase of homes through Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme. The Local Authority Home Loan is available nationwide from all local authorities.
The Local Authority Home Loan Tenant Home Purchase scheme allows eligible tenants who have received a valid Notice of Termination from their landlord as the property is being sold to buy the home they are currently renting as the landlord is selling the property. For a Tenant Purchase scheme, applicants can apply for up to 100% funding, i.e., no requirement for a deposit is required. The Local Authority Home Loan is available nationwide from all local authorities. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available at the following link: https://localauthorityhomeloan.ie.
Other affordability supports include:
Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan
The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan is a Government backed mortgage and loan for the purchase and renovation of derelict and non-habitable homes. The property must be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, whether derelict, non-habitable or simply vacant. For more information visit: https://purchaseandrenovationloan.ie/.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property. A grant of up to €50,000 is available. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available. For more information visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
Local authorities will make newly built homes available at a reduced price for first-time and other eligible buyers who cannot afford to purchase a home at its open market value with a maximum mortgage and 10% deposit. The local authority will take a percentage equity share in the home equal to the difference between the open market value of the home and the reduced price paid. This means that if a home is purchased at a 20% reduction on the open market value, the local authority will have a 20% equity share in the home. For more information visit www.affordablehomes.ie.
Help to Buy
The Help to Buy scheme can help with a deposit for a new or self-build home. It is a refund on income and DIRT tax paid in Ireland in the last four-years. The scheme comes under the remit of Revenue and the Department of Finance. Information on Help to Buy is available at the following link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx.
