William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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9. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the help to buy scheme to first-time buyers purchasing second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28039/25]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department will revise the help to buy scheme to include those who purchased houses that were built in the past two years but were previously occupied and the original occupants have paid the moneys back to Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28175/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister consider extending the help to buy scheme to include first-time buyers purchasing second-hand homes? I ask this question on behalf of many first-time buyers across the country, including young families, single professionals and couples, who dream of owning a home but find themselves restricted by the current scope of the help to buy scheme. The current initiative provides crucial support to first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes but it reflects a narrow view of the housing market.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 20 together.

The primary aim of the help to buy scheme is to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand. It also assists first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new home. The scheme provides a refund of income tax and deposit interest retention tax paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to the limits outlined in the legislation. Based on the latest available data from 31 March, it has supported almost 55,000 individuals or couples to buy their own home. In addition to the conditions laid down in the scheme, including that the property be occupied as the sole or main residence of a first-time purchaser, the scheme defines a qualifying residence.

The legislation is very specific as to the definition of a qualifying residence. It must be a new building that was not at any time used or suitable for use as a dwelling. If the building was non-residential but has been converted for residential use, it may qualify for the help to buy scheme. Renovation or refurbishment of old houses to either upgrade or reinstate them for habitation does not qualify for the scheme.

Regarding second-hand properties generally, an increase in the supply of new housing remains a crucial aim of the Government. As I mentioned, the help to buy scheme is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for affordable new-build homes to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties. The scheme includes a claw-back provision where the minimum occupation period of five years is not met.

It should, of course, be borne in mind that the Government has put in place many other measures in addition to the help to buy scheme to support first-time buyers. They include the first home scheme and the local authority affordable purchase scheme. The programme for Government commits to the retention and revision of the help to buy scheme. As the Deputy will appreciate, any revision to the scheme would have to be considered as part of the annual budget and Finance Bill process and take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any changes could have on the broader housing market.

That cuts to the core of the point I made in response to an earlier question. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The big concern I have, and I would appreciate his views on this, is that if the scheme were to be made available to homes that have already been built, it could run the risk of making those homes more expensive and, in turn, less affordable. I do not want to see that happen. I welcome the Deputy's views on this. The help to buy scheme plays a very important role, and I am committed to its retention, but I want to ensure that by having it available, it not only helps with a deposit but also helps with new homes being built.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Second-hand homes could be a more viable option for some first-time buyers but they are then excluded from financial assistance. An extension to the help to buy scheme to include buyers of second-hand homes would acknowledge the reality of our housing market. An extension would widen access, especially in rural and established urban areas where new builds are limited or priced outside of the thresholds. Second-hand homes may offer more affordability, more location choices and faster availability. Supporting buyers of second-hand homes would ease the pressure on the new-build sector, increase buyer choice and contribute to a more balanced housing market. We must ensure housing supports for all first-time buyers, regardless of the type of home they purchase. For many, the help to buy scheme represents the difference between aspiration and reality, and between renting indefinitely and securing a home to call their own. I urge the Minister to extend the scheme to second-hand homes to reflect the reality of the housing market in our towns, cities and rural areas, promote financial fairness and support first-time buyers in every way possible.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is raising the strong views of his constituents on this issue. One of the many points of questions like this is for the Deputy to raise issues his constituents want him to raise and for me to do my best to explain why we are doing or not doing what he wants. As I said, the concern I have is that in addition to the difficulties we have with building more homes, we need to ensure that as we build more homes, they are built in a way that is affordable. My considered analysis of this scheme is that any change that would make it available to homes that are already built could have a real risk of adding to house price inflation in our country, given how many second-hand homes are bought every year. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and I will take on board what he said but I want to do him the courtesy of giving him my view on the issue at the moment.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Other improvements to the help to buy scheme I urge the Minister to consider are to adjust the eligibility criteria and thresholds to reflect current house prices and inflation and to introduce a system that would offer higher support for lower income applicants or buyers in high-cost areas. That would make the scheme more equitable.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have given the view on the scheme as clearly as I can. I completely understand where the Deputy is coming from and why he is raising the issue. As I said, it is really important that any changes we make at a time in which supply is still not increasing at the speed we want do not add to inflationary difficulties. I will take on board what he said.