Fianna Fáil remain opposed to first-time buyers’ grants going towards the purchase of new €600,000 homes, saying the budget measure is “mad” and “off the wall”.

Tánaiste Joan Burton has played down the value of first-time buyer grants to help urban couples get homes after a warning from international experts this could cause an even further spike in property prices.

The Environment Minister is considering giving grants to first-time house buyers.