1950. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to ensure that single-income earners can access homes delivered through affordable purchase schemes; whether his Department has examined the affordability gap facing single applicants in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63591/26]

The Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society. Ireland's housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities, reinforces and expands the range of existing measures to tackle the issues of supply and affordability in all areas of the country including Cork, under a new Starter Homes Programme, which will deliver an average of 15,000 starter home supports annually to 2030.

Under this Starter Homes Programme, first time buyers, including single income earners, can buy homes with the help of the Starter Home Purchase Scheme, the First Home Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and Help to Buy.

In relation to the Starter Home Purchase Scheme (formerly known as the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme) and the First Home Scheme, applicant eligibility for the schemes are property-specific and are based on the applicants purchasing capacity, i.e. mortgage, savings and any Help to Buy incentive. Eligibility for both of these schemes is not dependent upon household size/composition; therefore, single income households are eligible to apply.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG) is also available to help those who wish to purchase a vacant or derelict property. The Grant provides up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. Again, households on a single income are eligible to apply.

In addition to these schemes, the Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a government-backed mortgage for creditworthy first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage or have received an insufficient loan offer through a commercial mortgage lender. The LAHL is available to single applicants with a maximum annual gross income of €70,000. 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 the Starter Home Purchase Scheme. The LAHL is available nationwide from all local authorities. More information on the LAHL is available at the following link: https://localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.

The Help to Buy Scheme, administered by the Revenue Commissioners, is also available for first-time property purchasers, to assist with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new home. This scheme can be used in conjunction with both the First Home Scheme and Starter Home Purchase Scheme and allows eligible applicants, including single applicants, to claim up to €30,000 or 10% of the property value, whichever is lower.

Scheme criteria and support levels for affordable schemes are kept under regular review, taking account of developments in the housing market. I will continue engaging with all delivery partners to ensure that the Starter Homes Programme enables the delivery of a strong pipeline of affordable housing supports, over the lifetime of the plan.