Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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642. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it is legal for a person in an asylum centre or on a student visa in the State to successfully apply for a local authority home loan; the number of such loans that have been issued and the value for each loan in the past five years. [47846/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for those 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. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.

To be eligible for a Local Authority Home Loan you must:

• be a first-time buyer;
• be aged between 18 and 70 years;
• be in continuous employment for a minimum of two years, as the primary earner or be in continuous employment for a minimum of one year, as a secondary earner on a joint application;
• as a single applicant have an annual gross income of not more than €70,000 in the previous tax year;
• as joint applicants have a combined annual gross income of not more than €85,000 in the previous tax year;
• submit two years certified accounts if self-employed;
• provide evidence of insufficient offers of finance from two regulated financial providers;
• not have previously purchased a residential property in or outside the Republic of Ireland, unless you are a “Fresh Start” applicant or have owned a property through inheritance;
• applicants are required to declare that they are a first-time buyer. They must authorise the Local Authority to conduct such checks as are necessary to confirm this, such as conducting Local Property Tax check.
• occupy the property as their normal place of residence;
• purchase a new or second hand habitable property or self-build a property situated in the Republic of Ireland;
• purchase a new or second hand habitable property or self-build a property which does not exceed the maximum market value applicable for the county in which it is located;
• consent to an Central Credit Register check;
• currently have a right to reside in the State.