CATHERINE FORDE,
Madam, - There is a distinct contradiction between the remarks of Andrew McNulty (Letters, December 11th) and Minister Martin Cullen (Opinion, same day). Like thousands of other young Irish people, Mr McNulty wants to buy a house, but cannot afford to do so because the presence of investors in the market is pushing prices out of reach. Furthermore, he cannot save to buy a house because of the exorbitant rent he must pay to the investor.
Mr Cullen, on the other hand, applauds the return of investors to the market, because he suggests this has increased the supply of private rented accommodation and encouraged "moderation in rents".
Whom should we believe? I plump for Mr McNulty, whose remarks stem from the bitter experience of the aspiring first-time buyer, and who is intimately acquainted with both the savage rental sector and the equally cut-throat housing market. Can we say the same of our politicians? - Yours, etc.,
CATHERINE FORDE,
MacCurtain's Villas,
Cork.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - The first-time buyer's grant was not just a means of assisting a generation of Irish citizens to secure a home for themselves. It was also a mechanism of quality control for new houses on the market.
A house had to conform to the technical standards of the Department of the Environment and Local Government before becoming eligible for this grant. This was one of the only instruments of State quality control applied to newly built houses.
The savings to the Exchequer represented by the abolition of this grant were small potatoes. I can only conclude that this is yet another concession to the building industry, thinly disguised as financial prudence. - Yours, etc.,
MARK O'SULLIVAN,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2.