Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree wholeheartedly with what Deputy Griffin said about second-hand properties. I have submitted other questions on the matter, which we will come to. We need to incentivise first-time purchasers of second-hand properties. We need to ensure the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme will be available in respect not only of the purchase price but also of the cost of the refurbishment of second-hand properties. If we do that and focus on the many empty houses that can be brought back into use, we will not have to build new houses only.

We can bring town living back by ensuring we give incentives to first-time buyers of second-hand houses. It could be, perhaps, an exemption from planning or ensuring they can retrofit with some type of grant aid. It is important to do that. I compliment Deputy Griffin, because this is something I have been speaking about for the last year.

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