Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval of revised house price and income limits for the Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) and the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan (LAPR).

The changes are expected to take effect from early Quarter 2, 2026 and follow a review of house prices to ensure the schemes remain aligned with the market.

House price thresholds will increase across all local authority areas, with proposed increases ranging from 5% to 15% depending on location. The single applicant income ceiling will rise from €70,000 to €80,000, while the joint applicant income limit will remain unchanged at €85,000.

Minister Canney said: “House prices have risen significantly in recent years. If we did not adjust these limits, fewer homes would fall within the scheme thresholds and its effectiveness would be reduced.

Updating these limits means the Local Authority Home Loan remains a real and practical pathway to homeownership for creditworthy first-time buyers who are unable to secure sufficient finance from commercial lenders.

The Purchase and Renovation Loan is also an important tool, as it supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. This not only helps individuals and families access homeownership, but also contributes to regeneration in towns and rural communities.”

From February 2018 to the end of September 2025, almost 4,400 borrowers have drawn down over €715 million under local authority mortgage products. An allocation of €250 million has been provided for local authority lending in 2026. The LAHL and LARP provide fixed rate mortgages for up to 25 or 30 years at an interest rate of 4% and 4.05% respectively.

Minister Canney added: “It is important that these schemes remain responsive to market conditions. Keeping the limits under review ensures they continue to deliver meaningful support to working individuals and families in towns, villages and rural communities across the country.”

Note to Editors

(1) New house price limits for all local authority areas:

•€415,000 –  an increase from €360,000 for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Kildare and Wicklow;

•€375,000 – increase from €330,000 for Galway City, Cork City, Meath and Cork County;

•€345,000 – increase from €300,000 for Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford and an increase from €330,000 for Galway County and Louth;

•€310,000 – increase from €275,000 for Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary.

(2) Increased income limit for all single applicants in each local authority area:

•increase from €70,000 to €80,000 for all single applicants.

•the joint applicants’ income limit will remain at its current level (€85,000).

Local Authority Home Loan
The Local Authority Home Loan offers two fixed interest rate products:

•4.00% fixed for up to 25 years (APR 4.07%).

•4.05% fixed for up to 30 years (APR 4.13%).

Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan

The Local Authority Purchase and Renovation loan offers the same interest rates as the Local Authority Home Loan  and a two-year variable interest rate bridging loan at 3.50% (APR 3.56%).

The bridging loan is equal to the amount of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and is repayable to the local authority once the grant is paid out or within two years, whichever is the earliest.

For clarity and in respect of the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan, the combined amount of the fixed rate annuity loan and the interest only bridging loan cannot exceed the maximum amount that can be borrowed.

More information on the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan can be found on the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan webpage.