Just one of the sixteen households in this county to qualify for the first home scheme have so far been able to purchase a property.
The shared equity initiative which provides up to 30% of the cost for those hoping to build or buy a new dwelling has this week been extended by government to include self build units.
However Clare’s cut off point for suitable properties remains inside the lowest bracket nationwide at €325,000 and Department of Housing figures show only one applicant in the county has been successful in purchasing a property under the scheme so far.
Diarmuid McMahon from Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon Real Estate Agents in Ennis says the housing crisis cannot be solved until the reward outweighs the risks for developers.
Listen to the full interview below
