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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

First Home scheme ceiling

Summary

Deputy McGrath criticised lower First Home scheme price ceilings in Tipperary than in neighbouring counties, saying the differences discourage development. The Taoiseach said he would raise the matter with the Housing Minister and follow up on why different rates apply.

The first home scheme, under the Government's Housing For All programme sets the maximum property price ceiling for houses in Tipperary at €250,000, while neighbouring counties are set at €300,000 and the maximum purchase in some other areas goes as far as €450,000. The housing crisis exists in every county and the costs for building houses are similar. In Tipperary we want to attract developers to build houses so that families can get into housing. Developers tell me it is unattractive for them to build in Tipperary in comparison with Laois, which is next door, Offaly, Limerick and Waterford, where they can make a reasonable profit due to the higher supports there. The scheme needs to be a level playing field. Why has Tipperary such a low purchase ceiling? Has the Government any plans to increase this to make it a level playing field with our neighbouring counties? We want to help families to try to get into housing. It is a good scheme but it needs to be tweaked to have fairness and balance for my county in comparison with every other county.

Comment on this

I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement that this is a good scheme. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, about the specific issue the Deputy has raised. I presume it is to do with valuations - I am not sure - as to why different rates apply to different counties. I will follow it up. I know it is the Deputy's objective that we would create a scheme that can help people and get people into housing. I accept that. I will follow it up.

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