Half of new builds to be ring-fenced for first-time buyers under government plans

Senior Government Ministers also refuted suggestions that State funding was being used by investment funds to bulk buy new homes.

Residential housing under construction at Janeville, Carrigaline, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

The Cabinet will tomorrow sign off on plans to ensure that up to 50% of future housing estates be reserved for first-time buyers.

Ministers will be told that the plan intends to tackle the controversial bulk sale of housing estates to investment trusts on what government sources describe as a density basis.