Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I am referring to housing. The abolition of the first-time house-buyer's grant set out the stall for the Government. I heard the Minister say that Governments must make tough decisions. However, the Government always seem to make the tough decisions that hit the poor and vulnerable, and those trying to get on the housing ladder. Those are the types of tough decisions the Government has made. The cuts in social welfare payments and the first-time house-buyer's grant show the types of people the Government is targeting.

We should also consider the development levies now charged by local authorities. That is another nail in the coffin of young people trying to put a roof over their heads for the first time.

The Government increased VAT charges on houses which places another burden on hard-pressed young people who are trying to put a roof over their heads. The Government favours developers and speculators with an array of tax incentives rather than first-time buyers, which it appears to have deserted. Fine Gael has outlined a comprehensive and realistic policy which is targeted at first-time buyers and other housing matters.