Changes to new first-time buyers grant scheme urged

The new first-time buyers grant has been criticised as a “mansion grant” which will be available to those earning four times the average industrial wage.

Fianna Fáil will push for amendments to the housing bill as they claim the grant is simply a “blank cheque” for developers and will only push prices up.

The Government was accused in the Dáil yesterday of creating a “help-to-sell scheme” for builders which has been dressed up as a help-to-buy scheme.