Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
198. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who has previously been named on a mortgage, although having never actually resided in the mortgaged property, can be eligible for supports under Departmental schemes such as the help-to-buy scheme or the first home scheme Ireland 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47084/23]
View answerHousing for All delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system. A number of Departmental schemes are in place to support this objective, which are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and guidance.
In relation to the schemes mentioned, the First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. It is overseen and managed by the First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (First Home DAC), on behalf of scheme founders (the State and participating mortgage lenders).
To be eligible for First Home, a person must be a first time buyer (FTB) which is defined as a person who has not previously purchased or built a home in the State or elsewhere for his or her occupation. An applicant must also not currently own or be beneficially entitled to, or have an interest in, another dwelling. Further details with regard to the criteria which must be met in order for an applicant to be eligible to apply for the scheme under the ‘Fresh Start’ principle are available at www.firsthomescheme.ie/faqs/rules-and-eligibility/.
The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. Separate eligibility criteria apply to the HTB. It should be noted that the HTB scheme comes under the remit of the Department of Finance, and details are available here:
www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx
