Almost 900 Tipperary first-time buyers receive support through Help to Buy scheme
Almost 900 first-time buyers from Tipperary have been supported in buying a home through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme since it was established in 2020.
Figures released by Fine Gael TD for Tipperary south Michael Murphy show that 884 first-time buyers got help under the scheme, which helps people who are buying new-build properties.
A maximum €30,000 is available towards the purchase of a qualifying home under the scheme, with the money coming from a refund in income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid by the applicants.
Deputy Murphy said that the figures show that the scheme is helping to get people in Tipperary on the property ladder.
“For thousands of first-time buyers, this is a scheme that has helped to bridge the gap to home ownership by making it easier to secure the deposit required to buy or build.
“For so many families, it has made the difference between continuing to rent and getting the keys to their own home,” he added.
Nationally, the figures show that 48,878 people were supported by the Help to Buy scheme since it was introduced in 2020.
Almost 38,000 of the claims related to the purchase of newly-built homes, while 11,000 supported self-build projects.
Despite the figures, Deputy Murphy said the Government has much more to do with regards to delivering more housing.
“We know that there is still so much more to do in relation to housing.
“That’s why the Government is determined to increase housing supply while continuing to back practical supports like Help to Buy that make a real difference to people’s lives,” the Fine Gael TD added.
“Owning a home remains one of the biggest ambitions for many individuals and families. Our job is to make that ambition a reality,” the Tipperary south TD said.
“These latest figures show that almost 49,000 households have now been supported through Help to Buy.
“We are seeing real progress now in housing delivery in Tipperary and it’s vital that everyone is aware of all the supports available to them,” he added.
Deputy Murphy added that the scheme can make a difference to people’s chances of getting a home, and encouraged eligible people to apply.
“I look forward to [the scheme’s] continuation so we can see even more people in Tipperary availing of it and getting the keys to their own front doors,” he added.