Cabinet will consider plans from housing minister James Browne today to increase the limits for the local authority home loan scheme to align with current house prices. As of September 2025, house prices have increased nationally by an average of 21%. Mr Browne will seek approval to increase loan rates in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Dublin City, Fingal, Wicklow, and Kildare by €55,000 from €360,000 to €415,000. There will be a €45,000 increase to the maximum loan available in Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Westmeath, and Wexford. A €15,000 rise in Galway county and Louth will make the maximum loan available €345,000.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2026 16:00 UTC