Only 17 contractors have registered with the Help-to-Buy scheme nationwide, according to figures provided by Revenue Commissioners.

Fianna Fáil is urging the Government to introduce a mandatory requirement for contractors to register with Revenue to help first-time buyers qualify for a Help-to-Buy grant.

Seanad Group Leader, Catherine Ardagh, said: "Many first time-buyers I have engaged with have discovered that they are not eligible to qualify for the Help-to-Buy grant if they have approached a contractor that is not registered with Revenue. Therefore, first-time buyers are being penalised and deprived of the grant on this basis.

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"The published criterion for developers to register is not particularly onerous that developers should be deterred from their obligation to register to the scheme. There is no reasonable rationale behind the punitive nature of this current legislation.

"I believe that the only acceptable solution is to ensure mandatory registration with Revenue is urgently introduced so that first time buyers who find a suitable property to their needs, are in the position to purchase it and avail of the grant."

(CD/MH)