Kildare self-builders to benefit from First Homes Scheme expansion

The First Home Scheme is a €400 million fund designed to help first-time buyers bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home as part of the Government’s Housing for All strategy.  

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, announced the expansion of the scheme to include self-builders who are building their first home. The scheme is already open to people buying newly-built houses and apartments in private developments, and to renters whose landlord is seeking to sell the property they are renting.   

The extension will mean that self-build customers can benefit from financial support of up to 30% of the total build cost of their home, to add to their self-build mortgage and deposit.   

Applications from self-build customers can be made from Wednesday online at www.firsthomescheme.ie.   

The First Home Scheme application process runs in parallel with the mortgage application process (i.e. self-build mortgage applications should continue to be made separately through participating lenders).   

The scheme is available to qualifying homebuyers and self-build customers who are taking out mortgages from AIB (including its EBS and Haven Mortgages businesses), Bank of Ireland or Permanent TSB. 

In Kildare, houses (both new and self-build) and apartments with prices of up to €425,000 are now eligible for the scheme.   

In the scheme’s first year since its launch in July 2022, close to 2,000 buyers in 24 counties were approved for the Scheme and almost 500 homes in 20 counties were bought using the Scheme. The scheme’s next quarterly progress update, for the 3 months to the end of September, will be published in the coming weeks.   

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin said, “I’m delighted that my party colleague Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has announced the expansion of the First Homes Scheme to self-builders who are building their first home. 

This expansion will help people in regional locations, like Kildare, where many individuals decide to build their first home rather than purchase a new build.  

“The €400 million fund has proved very popular with first-time buyers who are purchasing apartments and houses in new-build schemes. Now, thanks to this expansion, first time buyers who are building their own home will be able to avail of the scheme, just like those purchasing new build properties."