The government will grant assistance to people who are building their own homes in Ireland.

Dublin: Aside from first-time home buyers, the idea is to assist those who are building their own homes in Ireland. According to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, such dwellings will be supported through the government’s Shared Equity Scheme.

The First Home Scheme was launched in the country earlier this year, with the cooperation of the government and mortgage lenders. The government made up the shortfall in cash for the purchase of dwellings for qualifying applicants under this scheme. To bridge the gap between applicants’ savings and the mortgage and housing price, the government gave an equity stake of up to 30%. Self-built dwellings are also included.

Conditions are subject to change

Those who participated in the Help-to-Buy scheme received tax credits of up to €30,000. This initiative will only assist first-time house buyers.

The government, on the other hand, is making revisions to the recently introduced First Home Shared Equity Scheme. It is believed that an announcement would be made following the December Cabinet change. Even after the Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Martin intimated that Darragh O’Brien would remain Housing Minister.

The central bank and the ESRI were concerned that the initiative would raise property prices. Nonetheless, the housing minister refused to abandon the project.

For the properties under the shared equity system, eight different prices have been set across the country, with the government contributing 30%. According to the revised idea, owner-built residences will also be eligible for the same aid. Aside from the ten percent government contribution and the ten percent contribution paid by the home builder, the first-time buyer will be able to obtain a mortgage to cover the remainder of the cost.

As a result, the maximum price of an off-plan house in Dublin, Cork, and Dunleer (and self-build according to the new agreement) is €450,000. Galway received €400,000, while Limerick and Waterford received €350,000.

8000 houses are the target.

Over the next four years, the project is expected to purchase or construct 8,000 additional dwellings. As the first portion, the government has set aside 400 million euros. This scheme is supported by AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB. More agencies are anticipated to join the program.

There is no income cap for people applying for the First Homes scheme, according to the government’s Housing for all strategy.

The project has been in the works for two years, according to O’Brien, and has gained approval from the European Union, the European Central Bank, and the Irish Central Bank.

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