Tánaiste: 'Government will kickstart the housing market'

The Tánaiste is indicating that the Government will be taking steps in the Budget to help the ailing housing market.

The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan announced the decision to bring forward Budget 2009 to October on foot of poor exchequer figures and a rise in unemployment.

He says this will give Ireland a sound base for economic recovery.

Minister Mary Coughlan has said Minister Lenihan has met with representatives of the construction industry to discuss the issue.

"The minister spent a considerable period of time with construction people over the weekend and he will be taking into consideration many of these issues and not just for first-time buyers but for those who need to move on," she said.