Helping hand needed to get foot on the property ladder

My budget: schoolteacherA package of measures to allow young single people get on to the property ladder is high on Fidelma Sheridan's list of priorities from the Budget."As a single person in the country it's difficult, and it's impossible in the cities," says Ms Sheridan.

The primary school teacher from Co Cavan has been considering building a house for the past two or three years, but the costs have been have putting her off.

"I have a friend who bought a house about three years ago and she stretched herself. That's what made me think twice. You're into penny-pinching," she says.

Rather than a one-off gesture, Ms Sheridan says that a combined range of measures, including greater tax relief, is necessary to bring the dream of attaining a home into the reach of young, single professionals.

"The first-time buyer's grant was looked upon by developers as something that could be added to the price," she says.

Unlike some other professions, Ms Sheridan says that, as a teacher, she has no real option to boost her income.

"You have a set salary and that's what you get at the end of the fortnight or the month," she says.

Ms Sheridan would also like to see some measures introduced to upgrade schools.

Some schools are equipped with computers of various ages and capabilities, she says. While there have been grants in the past to network schools in preparation for broadband, there is a need to upgrade and standardise many schools with new computer hardware.

"In the years to come, the prominent economy will be the knowledge economy and we should equip the children for what the workforce will be like," she says.

Ms Sheridan would also like to see more funding for speech, language and occupational therapy in schools.