Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
647. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if prospective homeowners can access the enhanced help-to-buy scheme to build a home on a serviced site developed under the ready to build (serviced sites) scheme. [47976/23]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the challenge of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
In September 2022, the Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, was launched. Under the Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the purposes of building a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
It is a matter for the local authority to identify a suitable site that is either already in their ownership or that can be acquired. It is intended that the local authority will develop existing sites in their control or purchase sites and make them available for development by providing services and access to the sites concerned.
My Department is continuing to liaise with all local authorities with respect to the scheme. Eight sites have been made available for sale to date in Laois. Over 100 potential sites have been identified by various local authorities.
The conditions of the Ready to Build Scheme do not preclude prospective applicants from availing of other Government initiatives such as the enhanced Help to Buy Scheme.
