Taoiseach accused of being 'out of touch' on mortgage deposit

Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice says the Taoiseach's recent comments on deposits to buy a house are “elitist” and show he is “out of touch with the ordinary worker”.
Speaking in the Dail on Tuesday afternoon, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar seemed to suggest that people struggling to secure finances for a deposit on a house purchase could borrow from their parents or emigrate to save money.
The Taoiseach said: “Sometimes people go abroad for a period and earn money. Others get money from their parents. Lots of us did.”

See the Taoiseach's full comments here

 

Deputy Fitzmaurice today said that while it may be an option for the Taoiseach to get financial help from his parents, unfortunately, this was not the case for many people.
The Independent TD said: “Unfortunately this option is not available to the vast majority of people as many parents struggle to keep their own bills paid.”
He also said it was disappointing to hear the Taoiseach's comments on emigration, describing them as “a throw-back to the 1950’s when emigration was an expectation.
“His comments I believe are elitist, but not surprising and may illustrate that his €5million a year PR unit is also out of touch. I would also have concerns that, if this is the kind of thinking he and others are bringing to the cabinet table then the great wealth divide that now exists in Ireland will only increase.”