Starter Home supports increase in Kildare – Minister
Minister Martin Heydon TD has welcomed an increase in Starter Home supports in Kildare
Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon has said that the number of Starter Home supports in Kildare has increased, giving a boost to first time buyers.
Figures show an additional 2,683 Starter Home supports were delivered in Q2 of 2026, including 144 in Kildare, representing a national increase of 45% compared to the same period last year.
Speaking about the Kildare figures, Minister Heydon said: “For many first-time buyers, getting onto the property ladder can feel like an uphill battle. An increase in Starter Homes gives more people in Kildare the opportunity to find a home that meets their needs, suits their budget and allows them to plan for the future.
“These are hugely successful schemes, developed by the Government and supports that Opposition parties want to scrap despite their success.
“While there is still work to be done to improve housing delivery and affordability, this is an important development.
In total, over 22,800 Starter Home supports have now been delivered since 2021, including 1,616 in Kildare.
Starter Home supports include a number of Government schemes including the Affordable Purchase, Cost Rental, the First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Under the Starter Homes Programme, the Government aims to deliver an average of 15,000 Starter Home supports per annum, in the period to 2030, through the local authorities, the Land Development Agency, the Approved Housing Bodies, the First Home Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Revenue administered Help to Buy Scheme.
In total, since 2021 just over 22,800 such affordable housing supports have been delivered, with delivery for 2026 expected to continue the strong progress made.
Minister Heydon concluded by saying: “Supporting first-time buyers and helping people achieve the ambition of homeownership remains an important priority for Fine Gael, along with the required infrastructure to complement their construction. That is why along with homes, we’re matching it with the required infrastructure, like Newbridge’s second bridge and town bus, along with improved sports and educational facilities across Kildare South.”
“We recognise the challenges many people face when trying to get onto the property ladder and our commitment is to continue working towards delivering housing that offers choice and more opportunities for people to buy their first home.”