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Help to Buy Scheme

What Is the Help to Buy Scheme?
The Help to Buy (HTB) Scheme assists first-time buyers to purchase a newly-built house or apartment. It is also available for once-off self-build homes.
It only applies to properties that cost €500,000 or less.
The HTB Scheme gives a refund of the income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) you have paid in Ireland over the previous 4 tax years.

How do I qualify?
To qualify, you must:
Be a first-time buyer. If you are buying (or self-building) the property with someone else, they must also be a first-time buyer.
Buy or self-build a new residential property between 19 July 2016 and 31 December 2022.
Take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price. Cash buyers do not qualify.
Live in the property for 5 years from the date that it is habitable. HTB is not available for investment properties.
Be fully tax-compliant for the 4 years immediately before your claim.
What do I get?
If you sign a contract for a new house, or draw down on a self-build mortgage, between 23 July 2020 and 31 December 2022, you can get an increased relief. This is known as the Enhanced Help to Buy Scheme. You can claim relief on the lesser of:
€30,000
10% of the purchase price of the property
10% of the completion value of a self-build
The amount of income tax and DIRT you paid for the previous 4 years
The maximum payment is €30,000.
How can I apply?
There are 3 stages to the online application process:
The application stage: If you are a PAYE employee only, you can apply for the HTB Scheme through Revenue’s MyAccount service. Or, if you are a self-assessed taxpayer, you can apply through Revenue’s Online Service (ROS).
The claim stage: Once your application is approved you can make your claim using ROS or MyAccount. You will need to provide documents about your mortgage and confirm details about the property at this stage.
The verification stage: The information you have provided is verified by an eligible verifier. This is the contractor if you are buying a new home, or your solicitor if you are building your home.
How do I get the refund?
If you buy a new build, the refund is paid directly to the builder. If you self-build the property, the refund is paid to a bank account you hold with your loan provider.

Read more about the Help to Buy Scheme on https://bit.ly/3O2jdxF .
If you need further information about any of the issues raised here or you have other questions, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information Service in Kerry on 0818 07 7860. They will be happy to assist you and if necessary arrange an appointment for you.
Kerry HELPLINE 0818 07 7860
Monday to Friday from 10am -4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie
The National Phone Service is available on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm.

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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