Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are different definitions. The Government's Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme provides for exceptions, including where someone owned a property in the State previously and he or she is divorced under a court order or party to a separation agreement and then buys a property which is the first since leaving the family home. There are, therefore, a number of exceptions whereby even if one owned a property previously, one can be deemed to be a first-time buyer under this scheme. However, under Central Bank rules, there are no exceptions nor are there under the help-to-buy scheme. Life is complex and relationships break down. Family homes are sold and people have to start again but they are deemed to be non first-time buyers. The Central Bank should re-examine the position of these people under its rules and that of returning emigrants.