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 are still being worked out.

But they will be unveiled on budget day in four weeks' time.

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

Ross Maguire is from the debt management agency New Beginning.

He told Newstalk Drive this may not be the answer to renters problems.

Mr Coveney's comments come as the number of Irish mortgages on principal dwellings in arrears has fallen again for the 12th quarter in a row.

According to new figures from the Central Bank, 82,092 accounts remained in arrears at the end of June.

That is a 4.5% decline on the number recorded in March, and it accounts for 11% of all mortgage's on principal homes in Ireland.