Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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770. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to introduce additional housing supports to single income households looking to purchase a home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe.

While work is being undertaken to progress a new plan which will build on progress to date, the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.

The plan has an extensive list of measures to promote supply of housing and to ensure that we make the best use of existing housing stock.

A list of affordable housing supports in place is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/, this includes information on all supports available for those wanting to purchase a home including single income households. A number of these schemes can be combined, thereby providing additional affordability support.

In the case of affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home Scheme, applicant eligibility for these schemes are property-specific and work from someone's purchasing capacity - from a mortgage, savings, and any Help to Buy incentive. Eligibility is not dependent upon household size/composition, therefore, single income households are eligible to apply.

The price of a home purchased through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, is determined by an individual applicant’s financial resources. Where a single income household applies, this means the purchase price set will be dependent on their specific circumstances, including their gross income and the maximum amount that they can borrow as a mortgage.

Each local authority will have a Scheme of Priority for the allocation of a local authority affordable home. The Affordable Housing Act 2021 allows for the Scheme of Priority to include matters such as priority be given to applicants based upon date and time of application and priority given to eligible applicants in relation to a particular dwelling, or class of dwelling, having regard to the size or composition of the eligible applicant’s household.

The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage available nationwide from all local authorities. The loan is for first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who are unable to obtain sufficient mortgage finance through a regular mortgage lender, including single income households. The scheme is for the purchase of new or second-hand residential properties and for self-builds. It also includes the purchase of homes through Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme.