Dean and Marisa Lane in their new home in Kildare, which they bought with the aid of the First Home Scheme. “I appreciate 5,000 in the overall scheme of housing is small enough, but for those 5,000 individuals and families it’s important for them,” he said. [ Two-thirds of First Home Scheme applicants also availing of Help-to-Buy arrangement ]However, he said the supply of new housing stock was “undoubtedly” affecting the number of first-time buyers availing of the support. About two-thirds of all scheme applicants have used it in combination with the Help-to-Buy scheme, which gives buyers tax rebates of up to €30,000. I honestly don’t know, but for the foreseeable future I think there is a need.”Under the First Homes Scheme a joint application is counted as one buyer, not two.

Source: The Irish Times February 23, 2026 15:02 UTC