Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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752. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reinstate the first-time buyer's grant in order to help persons who are finding it very difficult to get on the property ladder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/15]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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755. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-introduce a first-time buyer's grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 755 together.

I have no plans to reintroduce a first time buyer's grant.

I am fully aware of the many challenges facing both the private and public housing sectors. Increasing housing supply is recognised by Government as a critical issue, reflected in the publication, in May 2014, of Construction 2020 - A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector. The Strategy contains 75 time-bound actions encompassing the development of an overall strategic approach to housing supply; identifying and implementing further improvements in the planning process to facilitate appropriate development; and seeking to improve financing options for development and mortgage provision. The measures contained in the Strategy will support the recovery of the construction sector to sustainable levels and ensure that housing demand is met, without returning to the boom and bust economic model of the past.