Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any additional incentives available to assist joint mortgage applicants purchasing a home who cannot avail of the help-to buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32994/23]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed in the Housing for All strategy, the Government has introduced a multi-faceted approach to support households and individuals wishing to purchase a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with an ambitious target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030.
Under Pathway 1 of Housing for All, “Pathways to Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability”, two new Affordable Purchase schemes have been established (the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home shared equity scheme), and an improved Local Authority Home Loan scheme.
These schemes are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained middle income earners and first-time buyers, whilst also encouraging additional housing development to increase overall supply. The eligibility of an applicant for these schemes will be determined based on scheme specific selection criteria, application assessment, and terms and conditions as deemed appropriate by the respective scheme provider.
Home purchase schemes run by my Department require all couples to apply jointly, regardless of previous homeowner status. In instances where one applicant is no longer considered a first time buyer due to previous homeownership, joint applicants may be eligible for schemes such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, and the First Home Scheme, under the Fresh Start principle providing the previous homeowner is separated or divorced, or has been declared insolvent or bankrupt, and has no interest in the former home. This allows such joint applicants to apply for these schemes on the same basis as first-time buyers. Separate eligibility criteria apply to the Help to Buy scheme, which comes under the remit of the Department of Finance. Further details of this scheme are available here: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx
Lastly, additional supports are also available for those wishing to purchase and renovate vacant or derelict properties in the form of the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which is available nationwide. The scheme provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €50,000 or €70,000 if the property is derelict. The scheme has been extended to cover houses built up to 2007, and is available for properties intended for rental as well as owner-occupied.
I also announced last year a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these schemes is available directly from local authorities.
