Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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572. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures he intends to bring forward first-time buyers of second-hand homes who cannot access the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54667/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to the development of a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by multi-annual funding.

The plan will build on progress to date and take a whole of government approach, as Housing for All did, and my Department has been engaging across Government to agree the high-level measures that will be included. The new Housing Plan will be published shortly . While work on the plan is being undertaken, the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.

While the Government's clear priority is the acceleration and delivery of new homes, there are a number supports available for first time buyers of second hand homes. Some information on the schemes that may be used to purchase second-hand homes is set out below.

Local Authority Home Loan

The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage or have received an insufficient loan offer through a regular mortgage lender. 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. The Local Authority Home Loan is available nationwide from all local authorities. More information on the Local Authority Home Loan is available at the following link: www.localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.

Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan

The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan is a Government backed mortgage and loan for the purchase and renovation of derelict and non-habitable homes. The property must be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, whether derelict, non-habitable or simply vacant. For more information, visit: www.purchaseandrenovationloan.ie/.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is available to turn a vacant house or building into a permanent home or a rental property. A grant of up to €50,000 is available. If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 may be available. For more information, visit: www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f1b-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant/.

First Home Scheme

The First Home Scheme (FHS) is available to tenants who are looking to purchase the property they are renting, where they have received a Notice of Termination from their landlord, as the landlord is putting the property on the market. This is known as the Tenant Home Purchase product (THP). It allows an applicant to purchase the house or apartment they have been renting in a private development. For more information, visit: www.firsthomescheme.ie/product-type/tenant-home-purchase/ .

A list of other affordable housing supports in place is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/.