Cabinet at odds on first-time buyers’ grant

Housing Minister Simon Coveney is under mounting pressure from the Department of Finance to give a first-time buyers’ grant to all homes purchased — not just new builds.

Both the Department of Finance and Fianna Fáil want any new incentives, which have been promised in the budget, to extend to all those buying a home for the first time.

However, Mr Coveney is adamant that tax rebates worth up to €10,000 should only be given to first-time buyers who purchase new homes.