Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2022

Wednesday, 6 April 2022

Questions (67)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

67. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if discretion can be used in which an application for a local authority home loan has been submitted by a single applicant and the person’s employment certificate is showing that they are over the threshold due to overtime which is irregular and no longer available; if a discretionary decision can be considered in which the applicant can show a much reduced income in the previous and subsequent employment certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18460/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.

Eligibility for the scheme is dependent on the applicant's gross income being under the relevant income ceilings. Single applicants for properties in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath or Wicklow must not be earning greater than €65,000 annual gross income or €50,000 annual gross income for properties in all other counties. Gross income reported in the previous tax year is used to determine income eligibility of the applicant for the Local Authority Home Loan scheme.

Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated website: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/