James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will identify the most suitable scheme available to assist a person in a situation (details supplied) in purchasing a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59508/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s Housing for All strategy introduced a new ‘Fresh Start’ principle targeting support at those who have experienced a relationship breakdown or an insolvency. Whilst these schemes are not aimed at supporting mortgage repayments on current homes, they do provide support to divorced persons in acquiring new homes.

Under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, Section 10 details those conditions under which a previous homeowner may apply for certain housing schemes effectively being treated as a first-time buyer on the basis of divorce or separation, or bankruptcy or insolvency, This ‘Fresh Start’ principle generally supports those purchasing newly built homes, subject to certain conditions, providing the applicant has no remaining interest in the previous home.

The Fresh Start principle applies to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, the Local Authority Home Loan, the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund Scheme, and the First Home shared equity Scheme.

New build affordable homes made available under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme are progressed by the Local Authorities themselves or in conjunction with the Land Development Agency, and will be advertised on the relevant Local Authority websites in advance of their sale.

Further information on the Local Authority Home Loan, which can also be used for second-hand homes, is available at: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.

Further information on the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund Scheme is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c2183-croi-conaithe-towns-fund/.

Further information on the First Home Scheme is available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/.