The Budget: thumbs up and thumbs down

Thumbs up: Housing.

FOLLOWING the abolition of the first-time buyers’ grant last year, it was widely anticipated that new Finance Minister Brian Cowen would make some allowance for those seeking to buy their first home in his inaugural Budget.

Before yesterday’s Budget, first-time purchasers of second-hand properties incurred stamp duty of 3% on properties priced between €190,501 and €254,000; now first-time buyers of second-hand properties will incur no duty on purchases priced up to €317,500.