17/02/2009

First Time Buyers Get €2bn Loan Fund

Ireland's two largest banks are to announce a €2 billion fund today to provide credit for those trying to get on to the housing market.

Provision of the fund has been incorporated into the Government's €7 billion recapitalisation plan for AIB and Bank of Ireland.

The Government hopes the massive cash injection of taxpayer money will help stimulate the property market, and lead to the start of a recovery.

The two institutions are required to increase lending capacity to first-time buyers by 30%.

The announcement comes the ongoing historic banking scandal involving the two banks compounds Ireland's recessionary woes.

Speaking during an interview last week, the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said: "I've been trying to repair this since last September and I have to say that while I've received some public anger over budgetary decisions I understand that I haven't had any public anger in relation to what has to be done about the banks because this is a battle for financial stability and survival."

(DW/BMcC)

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