Group to help protect 'helpless' homebuyers has three months to report back to Government

In November, Leo Varadkar indicated that a new system could resemble that used in Scotland where a seller will ask for offers over or around a minimum price and a deadline is set. File photo: /Photocall Ireland

A stakeholders' group will be established in the coming weeks to give more protection to homebuyers in a bid to make them feel less "helpless".

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien told the Irish Examiner the group will be "time-bound" and will aim to report back to government departments in the first three months of the year. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar indicated in November that he would like to see reforms around how protected homebuyers are and Mr O'Brien says that work will begin this month.