Here’s what supports self-builders and home improvers will get, according to the main political parties’ Election 2024 manifestos.
In this article we cover:
- Fine Gael’s proposed supports for self-builders
- Sinn Fein’s proposed supports for self-builders
- Green Party’s proposed supports for self-builders
As the political parties and independents battle it out for your number one vote for Election 2024 in ROI, Selfbuild takes a look at what the main parties have to offer to those who plan to build their own home or upgrade their existing one.
Earlier this week, we heard from Fianna Fáil and Independent Ireland about how they would support self-builders.
Here we look at what the other main parties’ election manifestos had to say about helping people building their own home.
Self-build supports from Fine Gael Election 2024 Manifesto – Housing
Supporting one-off and rural housing
- Practical support for self-builders: Continued assistance through the Help to Buy Scheme, First Home Scheme and Local Authority Home Loan.
- Help to Buy Scheme: Relief for first-time buyers/builders increased to €40,000, with the scheme extended until 2030.
- First Home Scheme: Expanded to include second-hand homes, offering up to 30 per cent of the home’s cost.
- Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme: Expanded coverage for moderate-income buyers to purchase/self-build new homes at a reduced price with local authority holding an equity share.
- Efficient home heating: Promotion of HVO and BIOLPG fuels for rural properties.
- Rural water services: Ongoing investment in rural water infrastructure under the Rural Water Programme.
Renovation and vacant property incentives
- Continue to roll out Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant: Up to €70,000 for derelict property renovations in rural towns and villages.
- Introduce the Town Centre Living Grant: A new €100,000 grant for converting “over-the-shop” premises for residential use.
Streamlining processes
- Planning Improvements: Implement the Planning and Development Act, which aims to make the process faster and more predictable.
- Vacant Property Officers: Increased staffing for local authorities to expedite grant applications.
Legacy and safety in housing
- Concrete Block and Apartment Defects Schemes: Enhanced schemes to address structural defects.
- Building Standards Regulator: An independent regulator to improve construction quality and safety.
Older people
- Simplified conversion rules: Easier regulations for dividing homes into flats, allowing older adults to continue living in familiar surroundings while adapting to changing needs.
Self-build supports from Sinn Féin Election 2024 Manifesto – Housing
Supporting Self-Build and Rural Housing
- Self-build targets: Delivery of 25,000 new self-build homes between 2025 and 2029.
- Revised planning guidelines: Updated planning policies for rural, Gaeltacht and island communities.
- Enhanced planning and building control systems: An investment of €50 million to reform planning systems and improve building controls.
Addressing building defects
Reviewing and ending housing schemes
- Phasing out the Help to Buy Scheme over five years as affordable home delivery ramps up.
- Ending the First Home Scheme, Croí Cónaithe Cities, and the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, citing their contribution to rising home prices and lack of impact on affordability.
Development Levy & Water Connection Waiver: Reforming the waiver to target SME developers and urban projects with affordability challenges, ensuring funding is effective in boosting supply and reducing costs.
Self-build supports from Green Party Election 2024 Manifesto – Housing
Core Focus: Building as many high-quality homes and neighbourhoods as possible close to work, school, college and public services.
Renovating vacant and derelict properties
- Vacant property targets: Delivery of at least 4,000 renovated vacant and derelict homes over five years.
- Streamlined grant access: Simplified access to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant through staged payments and revised grant rates.
- National Derelict Site Register: Creation of an online database with property details to reduce barriers to redevelopment.
Warmer, sustainable homes: enhanced retrofit supports
- 100% grants for attic and cavity wall insulation.
- An equity release scheme for retrofits, enabling older homeowners to live in energy-efficient homes.
- Continued use of carbon tax revenues to retrofit low-income households.
- Reducing Retrofit Red Tape: Simplifying processes for homeowners and businesses.
Affordable urban living
- Permanent Development Levy Waiver: For apartment construction only – in towns and cities, provided homes are sold to owner-occupiers.
- Targeted Help-to-Buy Scheme: Alignment with First Home Scheme property price caps to focus on those in need.
Addressing building defects
- Support for Defective Housing: Continued progression of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme for mica-affected households.
Planning Improvements
- Scaled-Up Planning System: Investment in a modernized planning framework that balances efficiency with community input.
