FG slam plan to abolish first time buyer's grant

The Government is planning to abolish the first time buyer's grant in next month's Budget as part of cutbacks to the Department of the Environment.

Fine Gael's Environment spokesman, Bernard Allen says it is a cruel blow.

"This is a heartless decision, shortsighted, and will have catastrophic effects on young people starting out on life and hoping to purchase houses of their own.

"We have already been recipients of very bad news today regarding the increase in local taxation and the slowdown in house construction."