Housing is Fine Gael’s TOP PRIORITY

That means building more houses, more homeownership, as well as a range of schemes to help people get a place they can call their own.

There are many ways Fine Gael is helping people own their own home. We are focused on planning reform, increasing zoned land for housing, and better coordination of infrastructure to service land for housing.

Learn about all of Fine Gael’s housing supports and schemes

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Help to buy
First Home Scheme
Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
Local Authority Home Loan
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF)
Repair and Leasing Scheme
Buy and Renew Scheme
Housing Acquisitions Fund
Cost Rental
Tenant in Situ Scheme

Help to Buy

Aimed at first-time buyers of new homes or self-builds, the Help to Buy scheme provides a tax rebate of up to €30,000 (or 10% of the property price, whichever is lower). It allows buyers to claim back income tax and DIRT paid over the previous four years to use towards their deposit. The property must cost €500,000 or less.

More than 54,000 applications have been approved under the scheme so far, with 80% for new homes and 20% for self-builds.

How to apply

Access the Revenue Online Service (ROS) or MyAccount on Revenue.ie

Steps:

– Register as a first-time buyer on MyAccount or ROS.
– Complete the HTB application, including property and contractor details.
– Upload documents showing mortgage approval and proof of identity.
– Once approved, you’ll receive an HTB claim reference to give to your solicitor/builder.

First Home Scheme

This is a shared equity scheme for first-time buyers and eligible ‘fresh start’ applicants. The State and participating banks will contribute up to 30% of the property price (or 20% if availing of Help to Buy) in exchange for a stake in the property. The buyer can choose to buy back this stake later. It’s intended to bridge the gap between mortgage capacity and property price.

Almost 7,000 buyers have been approved for the scheme already.

How to apply

Visit www.firsthomescheme.ie

Steps:

– Use the eligibility calculator on the website.
– Get mortgage approval from a participating lender (AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, etc.).
– Complete the First Home Scheme application online.
– Submit supporting documentation, including mortgage approval, ID, and proof of income.
– If approved, sign a shared equity agreement before drawing down the mortgage.

Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme

Under this scheme, local authorities sell newly built homes at a reduced price to eligible applicants. The discount (up to 25–30% in many cases) is treated as an equity share held by the local authority, which can be repaid later if the owner sells or remortgages. Applicants must meet income and residency criteria.

More than 1,600 families have purchased homes using the affordable purchase scheme.

How to Apply

Monitor your local authority’s housing portal for open applications for affordable homes.

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Submit an application during an open call with:

Steps:

– Proof of income
– Mortgage approval in principle
– ID and other supporting documents
– If eligible, you will be assessed and placed on a priority list.

Local Authority Home Loan

A government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers (and some ‘fresh start’ applicants) who cannot secure a mortgage from private lenders. It offers fixed interest rates over 25–30 years and can be used to purchase new, second-hand, or self-build homes. It provides up to 90% of the market value of the property. Applicants must meet income thresholds and demonstrate affordability.

More than 5,350 households have been helped since 2018.

How to Apply

Contact your local authority.

The relevant forms and guides are available on localauthorityhomeloan.ie

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Steps:

Complete the application form and submit it to the housing section of your local authority. Include:
– Proof of income
– Bank statements
– Mortgage refusals from two banks
– ID and proof of residence
– Attend an interview and await the local authority’s assessment and approval.

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

This provides grants of up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant properties that are being brought back into use as a primary residence or rented home. A top-up of €20,000 is available if the property is derelict. The grant is administered through local authorities and aims to encourage reuse of existing housing stock, particularly in towns and rural areas.

More than 8,650 applications have been approved, with more than 2,000 homes refurbished and reoccupied.

How to Apply

Contact your local authority’s Vacant Homes Officer

The relevant forms and guides are available on localauthorityhomeloan.ie

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Steps:

Download and complete the application form from your local authority’s website. Provide:
– Proof of ownership or intent to purchase
– Quotes for refurbishment works
– A declaration of vacancy and proposed use
– An inspection will be arranged, and the grant is paid in stages as work is completed.

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF)

A fund designed to support large-scale regeneration projects in Ireland’s cities and large towns.

The latest round of URDF in 2024 was specifically targeted at addressing long term vacancy and dereliction across cities and towns. More than 1,200 vacant and derelict properties were approved under the scheme and it is estimated that they will yield over 5,400 residential homes.

The fund is made available to Local Authorities who acquire the properties and then offer them for private sale to those who will commit to bringing the properties back into residential use. Purchasers of these properties are also able to defray the costs of returning them to use by accessing the Vacant and Derelict Property Refurbishment Grant, the SEAI energy efficiency grants or the Repair and Leasing Scheme subject to eligibility.

How to Apply

These properties are released by Local Authorities. Contact your Local Authority for more information.

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Note: This is a fund for local authorities and public bodies, not for private applicants. If you’re a developer or stakeholder, participation would come via partnership with a local authority-led project.

Repair and Leasing Scheme

Intended to bring vacant properties back into use as social housing. The property owner receives funding of up to €60,000 to carry out necessary repairs, in return for leasing the property to the local authority or an approved housing body for a minimum of five years.

An example of an effective use of this scheme is in Waterford, with 351 homes delivered under the scheme. This is out of 640 homes delivered nationwide

How to Apply

Contact Local authority’s housing section.

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Steps:

– Contact your Local Authority to express interest.
– A property inspection will determine eligibility and required works.
– If approved, you’ll sign a lease agreement (min. 5 years).
– Funding is provided to carry out repairs, with costs recouped over the lease period.

Buy and Renew Scheme

This scheme allows local authorities to purchase and refurbish vacant and derelict properties to be used as social housing. It targets properties that may otherwise be unviable for private renovation and ensures their reuse within the public housing system.

More than 950 homes have been brought back into use through the scheme.

How to Apply

Contact your Local Authority.

Find a list of all Local Authorities here

Note: This is not for private individual application. Local authorities identify and purchase suitable properties themselves.

If you own a derelict property: You may express interest in selling it to your local authority under this scheme.

Housing Acquisitions Fund

Administered by the Housing Agency, this fund supports local authorities and approved housing bodies in purchasing homes from the private market. The acquired units are used to provide permanent social housing to those on housing waiting lists.

More than 900 properties acquired

How to Apply

This is not open to individuals. It is administered by the Housing Agency to assist local authorities and approved housing bodies in purchasing homes for social housing. Individuals do not apply directly.

Cost Rental

Cost Rental housing offers long-term, secure tenancies at rents that only cover the cost of construction, maintenance, and management—typically 25% below market rate. It is aimed at middle-income earners who are above the threshold for social housing but struggle with high private rents. Tenancies are managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) or local authorities.

A total of 3,860 cost-rental homes have been delivered in the State since the scheme was launched, with plans to expand in the coming years.

What’s an Approved Housing Body(AHB)?

An Approved Housing Body (AHB) is a non-profit organisation that provides social and affordable housing to people on housing waiting lists. These bodies operate independently but are regulated by the state and must meet specific governance, financial, and operational standards.

They are:

– Not-for-profit and any surplus is reinvested into housing services.
– Overseen by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA).
– Receive funding and support from the Department of Housing and local authorities.
– AHBs provide a mix of social housing, cost rental homes, and special needs accommodation.

Well-known AHBs include Clúid Housing , Respond, Túath Housing, Circle VHA (Voluntary Housing Association)

What do they do?

– Build or acquire homes for people on local authority housing lists
– Manage tenancies and maintain properties
– Provide housing for specific groups (e.g. older people, people with disabilities, or those exiting homelessness)
– Deliver Cost Rental and Tenant in Situ tenancies (explained below)

How to Apply

Contact individual housing providers such as Clúid, Respond, or your Local Authority.

List of all Local Authorities

Clúid Housing , Respond, Túath Housing, Circle VHA (Voluntary Housing Association)

Steps:

– Check eligibility criteria (income thresholds, not receiving housing support, etc.).
– Keep an eye on announcements from AHBs or local authorities offering Cost Rental properties.
– Apply directly to the provider when properties are advertised.
– Submit required documents, including proof of income and ID.
– If successful, sign a tenancy agreement with the provider.

Tenant in Situ Scheme

This scheme allows Local Authorities to purchase privately owned rental properties where the tenant is at risk of homelessness due to a sale notice. It applies to tenants in receipt of HAP or RAS, or deemed eligible for social housing. The local authority buys the property and continues the tenancy as a social tenancy, preventing eviction.

More than 1,000 homes have been secured since the scheme was introduced in 2022.

What’s HAP and RAS?

HAP (Housing Assistance Payment)

HAP is a social housing support provided by local authorities. It allows eligible tenants to find private rented accommodation, while the local authority pays part of the rent directly to the landlord. The tenant then pays a rent contribution to the council based on their income.

Key points:

– Replaces Rent Supplement for long-term housing needs
– Tenants can work full-time and still receive support
– The property must meet certain standards and rent limits

RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme)

RAS is for people who have been receiving Rent Supplement for over 18 months and have a long-term housing need. Under RAS, the local authority enters into a direct contract with the landlord, and tenants are offered more secure tenancies.

Key points:

– Local authority becomes responsible for paying rent to the landlord
– Provides longer-term security

If the Tenant in Situ Scheme sounds like a scheme that would work for you, click on the “How to Apply” button.

How to Apply

Contact your local authority’s housing section.

List of all Local Authorities

Steps:

– Contact your local authority immediately if you’ve received a notice to quit and are at risk.
– Provide evidence of tenancy, HAP/RAS status, and the landlord’s intent to sell.
– The local authority will assess the case and may offer to purchase the property.
– If approved, the sale proceeds between the council and landlord.
– You will remain in the property under a social tenancy agreement.