Joan Burton plays down value of first-time buyer grants

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.

A leading international think-tank warned the Coalition about the risk of cutting taxes and increasing spending yesterday.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urged the Government to use the revival in economic fortunes — the fastest growth in Europe — to solve the legacies of the country’s bankruptcy and reduce unemployment.