Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider introducing a €50,000 grant scheme to support individuals who are self-building their first-time home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32046/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Government is focused on the actions already set out in Housing for All to support prospective homeowners and first-time buyers, including those wishing to build their own homes.

The Help-to-Buy scheme is an incentive for first-time buyers to help with their deposit for purchasing or self-building a new home. The scheme has already helped some 39,000 first-time buyers.

The Local Authority Home Loan is available to those wishing to purchase or self-build. This loan is a government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers or 'Fresh Start' applicants.

The Ready-to-Build scheme also supports those seeking to build their own home. Under the scheme local authorities can make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers and self-builders, with sites to be provided at a discount on market value for home-owners wishing to build for occupation as their principal private residence.

Finally, consideration is currently being given to expanding the First Home shared equity scheme to include self-builds. The scheme aims to support up to 8,000 households to bridge an existing affordability gap by providing buyers with part of the purchase price in return for the scheme taking an equity stake in their home. At present, the scheme applies nationally to newly built homes in private developments. However, at my request the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company, run on behalf of scheme participants, is examining the scope to expand the scheme to cover self-build houses.

In this context, I do not believe it necessary at this time to introduce a further grant scheme.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Awaiting reply from Department.