Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023
217. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons availing of the first-time home scheme since its recent introduction, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20440/23]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched on 7 July 2022, assists first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model.
Reporting for the Scheme comes under the specific remit of First Home Scheme DAC, which was established to manage the scheme on behalf of all scheme participants. In its Q1 2023 public update, covering the period from the Scheme’s launch on 7 July 2022 to 31 March 2023, First Home Scheme DAC reported:
• a total of 3,556 potential buyers have registered their interest in the Scheme, with over 1,000 new expressions of interest received in the period January to March,
• 1,336 buyers in 24 counties have been approved by the Scheme and have received eligibility certificates allowing them to buy their chosen home,
• 257 buyers have already completed the purchase of their home using the Scheme, and
• 82% of live approvals have been for buyers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare and Wicklow, with the remaining 18% spread across 19 counties throughout Ireland.
A copy of the Q1 2023 Update can be accessed on the First Home website at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-company/quarterly-updates/
Full details of the Scheme, including eligibility criteria, details of the revised price ceilings that came into effect on 1 January 2023, and how to apply, are available on the scheme website: www.firsthomescheme.ie
