John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications that have been made under the new first-home scheme; the number that have been approved to date; and the reason that they have been refused the first-home equity. [45430/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The scheme also allows for applications from certain non-first time buyers under the Government's 'Fresh Start' principle. Full details of the First Home Scheme, including eligibility criteria, are available on the scheme website: www.firsthomescheme.ie.

As of 2 September 2022, the Scheme reported the following statistics for the weeks since launch:

- Over 175,000 visits to the First Home Scheme website

- 1,397 accounts established on the online system

- 500 complete applications made to the scheme

- 272 Eligibility Certificates issued to applicants, equipping these households to proceed with purchasing their home

The First Home Scheme Ireland Designated Activity Company (DAC) holds responsibility for operating the scheme. My understanding is that First Home DAC will be publishing quarterly reports, which will be used going forward to monitor activity.