7,471 Applicants in Cork have Benefited from Help to Buy Scheme

€173.8m has been claimed in Cork since the Help to Buy Scheme was introduced in 2017, according to Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O’Shea.

Deputy O’Shea said the scheme has had a positive impact on 7,471 applicants in Cork.

“Fine Gael introduced the Help to Buy Scheme in 2017 to assist first-time buyers in Cork and across the country to either buy a newly built house or apartment or self-build a new home. The scheme provides up to €30,000 to be used towards your deposit. It gives a refund of the income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) you have paid in Ireland for the 4 years before the year you apply.

Deputy O’Shea added “Almost 55,000 individuals or couples across the country have benefited from this scheme since we introduced it in 2017. We’ve also seen 331 successful applicants in Q1 of 2025, which shows the continued support from buyers for this scheme. The Help to Buy scheme is just one of the many ways we are helping more people own their own home. We are focused on planning reform, increasing zoned land for housing, and better coordination of infrastructure to service land for housing”.

“Fine Gael in Government is increasing housing supply and new starter homes for individuals and families. The Help to Buy Scheme has been hugely beneficial for so many people in Cork looking to buy their own home and I hope people across the country continue to avail of the scheme”, concluded Deputy John Paul O’Shea.