Eligibility for the £1,000 grant
Harte renewed his argument that the grant unfairly favoured first-time buyers over families living in dilapidated homes, and criticised the scheme’s basis. Barrett said eligibility was for first-time owners or buyers regardless of means, subject to capacity limits. The Chair moved to the next question amid procedural protests.
It was and is intended for first-time owners or buyers of houses regardless of means. If it complies with the capacity limitation, everybody is entitled to it.
Comment on this
Arising out of my question and a lack of reply to it, in the case where a wealthy young couple who never owned a house before proceed to build a house they will qualify for the £1,000 grant. In the case of a hard-working father of a young family who owns a dilapidated house in very bad condition, he will not qualify. This is very unfair. It is time the Minister considered the lack of consideration for this in the Fianna Fáil manifesto before the 1977 election which was sold to the people as being a £1,000 grant for all who bought sites, not to build houses.
Comment on this
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister was replying to Deputy Harte. That is sharp practice.