First-time buyers: Housing minister says caps on supports and grants are 'under review'

James Browne was quizzed about an anomaly reported in the 'Irish Examiner' where caps on State-backed mortgages put certain affordable home schemes beyond reach

Housing minister James Browne was speaking at the launch of the first new homes delivered at Barracksfield West, Naas, Co Kildare, on Thursday. Prices start at €243,477 for one-bed apartments; €292,933 for two-bed duplexes; and €365,216 for three-bed houses. 

Caps on supports aimed at helping first-time buyers purchase homes are “under review”, the housing minister has said.

James Browne was speaking as he officially launched the first new homes at Barracksfield West, Naas, Co Kildare. With government supports and equity contributions, prices of the affordable purchase homes start at €243,477 for one-bed apartments; €292,933 for two-bed duplexes; and €365,216 for three-bed houses.

However, Mr Browne was asked about cases in Kildare and beyond where caps on State-backed mortgages limit the homes that can be purchased. 

Earlier this year, it was reported that homes in Naas had been priced at €370,000 for a three-bed home — but the house price limit for State-backed mortgages under the local authority home loan scheme is €360,000 in Co Kildare.

Mr Browne said all of the schemes offered by the Government are under review.

Finding 'correct level' of grants and supports 

“We’re reviewing all of those kinds of limits right across the country, and that’s a key part [of the housing] plan; ensuring that the the amounts, whether it’s of grants, whether it’s of local authority home loans, are set at the correct level, and that people can afford homes in their local community.

“A lot of those schemes that were launched are very good schemes, but perhaps what I have to ensure now is that they all thread together, that they all have [affordability] on the spectrum, that everybody can be able to afford a home that they need. 

"And I think that local authority home loan, it is crucial, but I think it can do an awful lot more. And I think that really means examining how it’s working, both in terms of its limits, and also it’s simplifying these schemes.

I’m a great believer that, to deliver homes, we need to simplify everything. 

"That’s an awful lot of what I’ve been doing since I became minister. So simplify the applications for those schemes as well, so people can know what’s available to them and how they can access them and be able to access them.”

Mr Browne was speaking as data showed that there were 1,441 commencement notices for new homes lodged in October. While this is the second-highest month this year after the 1,653 commencements lodged in September, it is some way off the 5,062 lodged last October.

This year has seen some 11,634 notices received. On a rolling 12-month basis (November 2024 to October 2025) that amounts to 23,599 commencement notices received.

Of the 1,441 units commenced in October, 574 (40%) are scheme dwellings, 510 (35%) are apartments, and 357 (25%) are for one-off units.

Of all units commenced in October 2025, 31% (448 units) were in the four Dublin local authorities. By local authority, the most units commenced were in Dublin City (245), followed by Fingal (175) and Cork City (133).

This year so far, the most units commenced have been in Dublin City (2,053) followed by Cork County (1,089) and Fingal (911).