In the Ireland of 2002 home ownership is beyond the reach of many of our citizens. Married couples, both of whom are employed, do not qualify for a mortgage on a starter home. The same couple is deemed too well off to secure local authority housing and reasonably priced private rented accommodation is lamentably inadequate. With first-time buyers forced in many cases to turn to local authority housing, due to high prices, withdrawal of the first-time buyer's grant in the Estimates and now a new squeeze – an increase of 1% in the VAT rate in the budget from 12.5% to 13.5% – housing list numbers are due to rise yet again. According to the Irish Home Builders Association, the increase in VAT will add almost €1,800 to the cost of a new house.