Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
165. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the support levels for the first home scheme will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers and self-builders between their deposit/mortgage and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie. The scheme can take an equity share of up to 30% of the value of the home, or 20% where a customer is also availing of the Help to Buy Scheme.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC take into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area.
At the end of December 2025, the First Home DAC published the outcome of its seventh scheduled review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings. New price ceilings were agreed for 17 local authority areas. The new price ceilings came into effect on 1 January 2026. The First Home Scheme DAC will continue to monitor the price ceilings as part of any future review with the next review expected to be complete in late June 2026.
More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/.
