16,000 homeowners still waiting for grant

MORE THAN 16,000 cash-strapped homeowners are still waiting for their first-time-buyers grant — one year after Environment Minister Martin Cullen abolished the scheme.

National housing organisation Threshold yesterday called on Mr Cullen to pay out the €3,801 grant before Christmas.

“This delay is putting huge pressure on many cash-strapped first-time buyers who could do with this money to furnish their homes or pay bills,” Threshold director Patrick Burke said.