Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1734. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the ceiling caps for the first homes schemes for Tipperary, as it is having a reverse impact in comparison to neighbouring counties with a higher threshold. [44394/25]

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

The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is 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.

When the Scheme was first launched in July 2022, the price ceiling for the Tipperary local authority area was €250,000. This has been raised following two subsequent price ceiling reviews to €325,000 on 1 January 2023 and then again to €350,000 1 July 2024.

The First Home Scheme DAC will continue to monitor the price ceilings, including in Tipperary, as part of any future review.

More information on price-ceiling reviews is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/.