Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Every family dreams of owning their own house – the family home. First, they must see what they can afford, then get a solicitor, find the property, get it surveyed and seek mortgage approval. In Dundalk, as I am sure is the case in every other town, a large number of families are stuck in the middle. These families comprising a husband, wife and two children, can earn €50,000 a year - which is nothing to be sneezed at – and can pay rent up to €1,300. By the time they have paid for food, transport, schooling costs and childcare, they do not have much left. The Rebuilding Ireland loan is a fantastic scheme and is helping many. However, there are many who cannot afford to save for a home loan deposit for the simple reason their €50,000 income quickly runs out due to other costs.

These people cannot get on local authority waiting lists and they cannot get loans. Is there any rule the Taoiseach can introduce to help the people who are caught in the middle, the people who are trying their best to work? They do not want to take social welfare payments; they want to work and earn. Can we start looking after the people who are stuck in the middle?

See this speech in context