Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am confused because in the general publicity around the launch of the scheme the Minister made much of the fact that people in small towns and villages would be able to take commercially-designated premises and convert them to accommodation. She and others in Government, as well as Government backbenchers, mentioned the availability of first-time buyers' grants for people to do up properties in these towns. I am just repeating what was in the media, where a menu of items was identified. Can the Minister account to the Dáil in detail for what she is proposing? It is all over the place. Young couples in towns and villages around the country would have an interest in these schemes but they are very confused over the Minister's proposals. They need to make plans to raise finances and do other things if they are to avail of these schemes.

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