Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason the price ceiling for the first home scheme has increased by €25,000, while the help-to-buy scheme price ceiling did not; to review the property price ceilings for the help-to-buy scheme in view of this discrepancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6782/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The First Home Scheme is a demand led equity scheme, supporting first-time buyers, self-builders and fresh start applicants to bridge the gap between their mortgage capacity and deposit and the price of the new home, within regional price ceilings. Subject to eligibility requirements, the Scheme can provide funds up to 30% of the property purchase price or build cost (for self-build) or 20% if the Help to Buy Scheme is used.

The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC), is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders – the State and participating pillar banks.

In order to minimise the risk of price distortions in the First-Time Buyer market, the First Home Scheme introduced the concept of Local Authority Price Ceilings from the outset. At its launch, the DAC announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. These reviews take into account a range of factors, including the median price and volume of new builds purchased by first time buyers in each local authority area including at sub county level where relevant. These reviews allow the Scheme to remain adaptive to local market conditions, while also providing support to first time buyers and promoting additional housing supply while mitigating local price distortions.

At the end of December 2025, the DAC published the outcome of its seventh scheduled review of the price ceilings that apply to qualifying homes and subsequently revised price ceilings. New price ceilings were agreed for 17 local authority areas and these ceilings came into effect on 1 January 2026. The First Home Scheme DAC will continue to monitor the price ceilings as part of any future review.

The Help to Buy incentive is an initiative of Revenue and the Department of Finance, and does not come under the remit of my Department. Revenue and the Department of Finance should be contacted in relation to that scheme’s operation. Revenue can be contacted at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/contact-us/index.aspx.