O’Dowd welcomes increased thresholds for first time home scheme applicants in Louth

Louth Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, has welcomed the new First Time Home Scheme thresholds announced for both Louth and Meath which will now see properties up to the value €375,000 included.

O’Dowd said:

“This is an issue which I highlighted to Minister O’Brien in July of 2022 as a major issue as the vast majority of new homes advertised in County Louth exceeded the previous €300k threshold which essentially rendered prospective first-time buyers ineligible for the scheme.

“I also highlighted the ridiculous situation in Drogheda where neighbouring estates had two separate thresholds, so depending on whether they were located in the Louth or Meath part of the town there was a €50k difference in the applied thresholds (€300k for Louth, €350k for Meath).

“I’m glad to see this has now been increased and regularised for both Louth and Meath which will see them in the same threshold category of €375k.

O‘Dowd added:

“I hope these changes will allow more first time buyers access the scheme in what is a very competitive market.”