More first-time buyers in Laois can now avail of First Home Scheme

More people in Laois can now avail of the First Home Scheme which helps first-time buyers join the property ladder amid the continuing housing crisis across the county and country. 

The First Home Scheme is a €740 million fund which has been set up by the Government in partnership with mortgage lenders to help first-time buyers bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit, and price of a new home. 

Following a reviewal of the scheme, its price ceilings have been increased in 17 local authority areas, including Laois. 

These changes took effect on 1 January, with each of the chosen local authority areas seeing an increase of €25,000 in the relevant ceiling. In Laois, the price ceiling for houses, including self-build homes, and apartments is now at €400,000.

Laois' price ceiling had remained unchanged since January 2024 when it was also raised by €25,000 to €375,000 following a review.

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The increase in the price ceiling means that more first-time buyers can now qualify for the scheme in Laois. People whose chosen home was above the previous county price ceiling of €375,000 were ineligible for the scheme until now. 

The changes are also hoped to encourage the supply of additional new homes in areas with low stock of new homes. The aim of the price ceilings is to ensure the scheme can benefit as many people as possible without causing distortion in local housing markets.

Commenting on the increased price ceilings, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: "Our new Housing Action Plan, Building Homes, Delivering Communities, recognises home ownership as a core objective. By raising the ceilings under the First Home Scheme, we are giving more first‑time buyers and other eligible applicants the support they need to secure a home of their own.

"This is about broadening opportunity and making the ambition of home ownership achievable for many more people.”

The First Home Scheme Chief Executive, Michael Broderick, said: "The First Home Scheme is designed to be flexible and adaptive to market conditions as they evolve.

"We have always been committed to changing the price ceilings to reflect the reality on the ground in each of the 26 counties where we have already helped people to buy a home."

He added: "Today’s announcement is good news for people looking to purchase or build a new home. The changes mean the scheme can help more people and promote additional housing supply while continuing to mitigate the risk of local price distortions."

The scheme will continue to review the price ceilings of local authorities on a twice-yearly basis, with its next review in mid-2026. 

Since the launch of the scheme in 2022 up to September 2025, there have been 254 First Home Scheme approvals in Laois.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme