Vol. 536 No. 5
268 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the grants which are in place for first-time buyers who wish to purchase an older house in need of upgrading and refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14668/01]
The first-time buyer's grant offers assistance to people who are first-time purchasers of new houses. I have no proposals to introduce grants for first-time purchasers of second-hand houses as any additional grant aid would, in present market circumstances, be likely to be absorbed in higher prices. There are a number of targeted options currently available to assist vulnerable groups such as lower income households to secure necessary improvements works to their houses. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the disabled person's and essential repairs grants scheme and the scheme of improvement works in lieu of local authority housing.
