Joan Burton to consider grants proposals for first-time home buyers

Tánaiste Joan Burton is set to consider proposals to give struggling first-time buyers a hand buying their home with State-funded grants.

Grants of between €3,000 and €5,000 would be given to buyers, many of whom may be finding it difficult to raise 20% deposits under new banking rules.

Labour TD Joe Costello said the initiative was needed as young buyers could not raise these funds and were trapped paying sky-high rents.