James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans for the expansion of the local authority home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12856/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. It is a successor loan to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.

The Programme for Government 2025 commits to several measures regarding the Local Authority Home Loan. These include:-

• Creating a new central national administration point for the scheme;
• Ensuring the maximum loan values align with current house prices, thus keeping the scheme accessible;
• Examination of the expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan to allow a separated or divorced person to buy the full mortgage on a home; and
• Examination of how the Local Authority Home Loan could support non-bank lender mortgage holders.