Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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549. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are plans to raise the cap on the first home scheme and the help to buy scheme, specifically for Dublin, as new builds in areas such as Swords exceed the current cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34441/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, .

The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. The DAC take into account a range of factors as part of these reviews, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area including each of the four Dublin local authorities.

At the end of December 2024, the First Home DAC published the outcome of its scheduled 6-monthly review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings in relation to 3 local authority areas. The revised price ceilings came into effect on 1 January 2025. The next 6 monthly review is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link:

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In relation to The Help to Buy (HTB) this scheme is administered by the Department of Finance and any development of the scheme comes under the remit of that Department. Details of HTB can be found on the Revenue’s website, www.revenue.ie.