Over 9,000 buyers approved under First Home Scheme

Eva Osborne

9,008 buyers have been approved under the First Home Scheme, a €740 million fund set up to help first-time buyers, as of December 2025.

4,887 buyers have already completed the purchase of their home using the scheme, including people building their own home.

The First Home Scheme is a joint venture between the State and three banks, currently AIB, Bank of Ireland. and PTSB.

The average purchase price for homes purchased, or build cost for homes built, using the scheme is €389,000.

The average support being provided by the First Home Scheme in these cases is approximately €66,000 (17 per cent of the average purchase price).

71 per cent of live approvals have been for buyers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow, with the remaining 29 per cent spread across the remaining 21 counties throughout tthe State.

Minister for Housing, James Browne, said: “This Government is committed to helping more people to have a home of their own and that is why I ensured that home ownership is at the heart of our new Housing Action Plan, ‘Building Homes, Supporting Communities’.

"The First Home Scheme is an essential part of our approach and I am very encouraged by the growing numbers availing of the scheme.

"Not only does it demonstrate the effectiveness of our strategy in supporting more people on their path to owning a home but, more importantly, it makes a real difference for individuals and families – helping them to secure homes while also contributing to vibrant, sustainable communities all across the country.”