Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for policy on allocating public funds across each area of Government spending and ensuring expenditure is managed in line with these allocations by Departments. In this way, officials from my Department engage with their counterparts on proposals on a variety of expenditure measures, including in relation to housing. However, queries relating to housing policy are in the first instance a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who has policy responsibility in this area.

There are a number of schemes in place aimed to support first-time buyers, in particular, under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which has legislated for two new affordable housing schemes. The local authority affordable purchase scheme will make homes available at a reduced price for first-time buyers.

The scheme will be supported by the newly created affordable housing fund. It is currently operational and I have made €60 million available to the fund this year. Additionally, the first home shared equity scheme will be available nationwide to first-time buyers seeking to purchase a newly built home in a private development anywhere in the country. The scheme is expected to be available for drawdown later this year and €44 million is available for that in the current year. Finally, the local authority home loan is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers or other eligible applicants through local authorities. The sum of €250 million is available to the scheme in the current year.

For renovators, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a number of schemes, including the repair and leasing scheme and the forthcoming Croí Cónaithe towns initiative, which will renovate vacant homes in towns and villages. The Government is committed to supporting housing. Under the national development plan, €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding is being made available for Housing for All out to 2025.

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