To qualify for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme a buyer must meet the following criteria:

•  They must be a first-time buyer.
•  Their income must be below a certain level. This is calculated by multiplying a household’s gross annual income by 4. This figure is known as the candidate’s 'purchasing power' and it must then be less than 85.5% of the market value of the affordable home.
•  A candidate cannot have more accumulated savings than the money required to cover the deposit for the home and an additional €30,000. Anything above this is added to their purchasing power. And, if this goes above 95% of the market value of the property they are not eligible for the scheme
•  A candidate must not have not previously bought or built a property to live in.
•  They must not not own or have an interest in any property in Ireland or abroad.
•  They must be purchasing the property as their home.
•  They must have the right to live in Ireland.
•  They may qualify if they are a ‘fresh start’ applicant i.e. they previously owned a home, but no longer have a financial interest in it because they are now divorced, separated, or their relationship has ended or they have gone through personal insolvency or bankruptcy.