The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, has welcomed fresh data showing that the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme has supported almost 49,000 households since its introduction.

Launched in 2020, the scheme assists first-time buyers to purchase or build a new home.

According to the latest figures, 48,878 HTB claims had been approved up to the end of July, benefiting first-time buyers in every county. Of these approvals, 37,983 related to the purchase of newly built homes, while 10,895 supported self-build projects.

The HTB scheme provides eligible first-time buyers with a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, up to a maximum of €30,000, to help them meet the deposit required to buy or build a new home.

Approvals have been highest in Dublin (7,549) and Cork (7,432), followed by Kildare (5,752) and Meath (4,646). In total, 88,532 applicants have been involved in approved claims, according to Department of Finance data. Welcoming the figures, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said: "Owning a home remains one of the biggest ambitions for many individuals and families. Our job is to make that ambition a reality.

"These latest figures show that almost 49,000 households have now been supported through Help to Buy.

"These latest figures show that almost 49,000 households have now been supported through Help to Buy.

"For thousands of first-time buyers, this is a scheme that has helped to bridge the gap to home ownership by making it easier to secure the deposit required to buy or build.

"For so many families, it has made the difference between continuing to rent and getting the keys to their own home.

"We know that there is still so much more to do in relation to housing.

"That's why the Government is determined to increase housing supply while continuing to back practical supports like Help to Buy that make a real difference to people's lives."

Under legislation, the level of support available is the lesser of:

- €30,000; or

- 10 per cent of the purchase price of the new property; or

- the total amount of Income Tax and DIRT paid in the four years before applying for the relief.

The HTB incentive is designed both to assist first-time purchasers with deposits and to encourage additional housing supply by underpinning demand.