The first-time buyers’ grant is set to return in the Budget in the form of a tax rebate.

The Housing Minister Simon Coveney says it is part of the Government’s plan to make it more affordable to buy a home.

Mr Coveney says the final parts of the system, which will unveiled on Budget Day in four weeks’ time, are still being worked out.

However, he has confirmed there will be some kind of help, through the tax system, for people getting onto the property ladder.

The Minister said: “I think it’ll be something along the lines of a first-time buyers’ grant, effectively through the tax system, and through a tax rebate system.

“But the extent of that and the means by which it is done is still being finalised at the moment.”