Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a report on the operation of the first home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3517/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers, as well as buyers who are eligible under Housing for All’s ‘Fresh Start’ principle, in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.

The Scheme is overseen and managed independently by the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC), which is responsible for reporting and operations. Information is currently made available on a quarterly basis by First Home Scheme DAC. The First Home Scheme can be contacted directly via the website or email (see www.firsthomescheme.ie/get-in-touch/).

The rules of the Scheme have been agreed by all of the founders - the participating mortgage lenders, and the State - and are available in the First Home Scheme brochure, which is available at the following link:

www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/3fidiubp/first-homes-brochure-2023.pdf.

First Home DAC recently confirmed that, in its first six months of operation and as of the end of 2022, 750 applications were approved, 335 contracts issued, and 135 purchases closed with the assistance of the Scheme. First Home also confirmed that following a review of its local authority based price ceilings, new ceilings would be implemented from 1 January 2023 and the detail of these new ceilings is available on the scheme website.