John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

It concerns the fact that the affordable housing scheme is becoming more popular but one of the problems in delivering the scheme is that many of the people who qualify to participate are experiencing difficulties coming up with the deposits. The State should examine the possibility of establishing a savings scheme for first-time buyers or specifically for those who might qualify for affordable housing. It is an issue raised in my constituency office and we should examine it because many people who work and pay rent in one fashion or another find it difficult to come up with deposits. While an SSIA-type deposit savings scheme is part of the motion, it is something we should consider. I point out to the Members opposite that this is an issue I raised in the House on more than one occasion and it was certainly raised at a parliamentary party meeting. There is merit in the idea and it is the type of issue I would like discussed.

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