Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 1

Written Answers. - Housing Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

135 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reasons the first-time buyers grant was not extended to first-time buyers who are purchasing second-hand homes in conjunction with the changes to stamp duty in June 2000; if he will address this discrepancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21816/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The first-time buyers grant offers assistance to people who are first-time purchasers of new houses.

I have no proposals to extend the grant to 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.