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The bank of mom and dad

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4 years ago

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By Ted Healy of DNG TED HEALY

As young first-time buyers continue to struggle to get on the property ladder, the traditional 'bank of mom and dad’ is receiving increased public support.

According to a new survey conducted by taxback.com, 59% of taxpayers believe parents should be allowed give children a leg up the property ladder if they are fortunate to be able to do so.

A majority of those surveyed said parents should be allowed to gift their children as much as they want, without tax implications for either side.

The counter argument here is of course fairness to all house hunters, and the extra pressure this heaps on those who cannot provide financial assistance for their children.

Almost 42% of first-time purchasers availed of financial gifts as part of their deposits with 25% of mover purchasers doing the same.

There is a swell of support for the personal choice of parents to provide financial support to their children when it comes to purchasing their first home. This is completely understandable as we all work hard to provide the very best we can for our children in order to help them on their way as much as we possibly can.

The other side of the coin here is the ‘fairness’ element, should the “haves” be able to wield more power than the “have-nots” in the property market?

For example, should a person with wealthier parents be allowed to shore up the available properties, leaving those who don’t have the same financial support on the sidelines?

If you have a case of a few different people bidding on a property, which is a scenario we are experiencing frequently, and one has the benefit of a substantial cash injection from a parent it creates a different playing field and has a knock on effect on house prices in the neighbourhood.

A question for Government and regulators is whether the 'bank of mom and dad' is becoming a banking force in and of itself?

The 'bank of mom and dad' has always been there in the background. The difference now is that it has become more prominent.

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Soroptimists to host annual Pancake and Coffee Morning

Published

8 hours ago

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10 February 2026

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Killarney Soroptimist Club has announced the return of its annual Pancake and Coffee Morning, which will take place on Shrove Tuesday, February 17.

The event will be held at the Killarney Avenue Hotel starting from 10.30am.

Attendees can look forward to a morning of music and entertainment featuring Tim Gleeson and friends.

Along with pancakes and coffee, the event will feature various raffles and a door prize on the day.

This year’s door prize is a two-night bed and breakfast stay at the Hayfield Manor Hotel.

The event is a significant fundraiser for the club, with all proceeds being donated to Rockmount Care Centre in Kilgarvan and St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort.

Tickets for the morning are priced at €20 and are available for purchase from, Soroptimist Members, the chosen beneficiary charities or Sheila Casey at 086 814 9677.

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Julie Deady wins first Camera Club competition of year

The first competition of the new year proved a strong start for Killarney Camera Club, with January’s theme of “Sunset” attracting a wide range of high-quality entries. Top honours went […]

Published

15 hours ago

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10 February 2026

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The first competition of the new year proved a strong start for Killarney Camera Club, with January’s theme of “Sunset” attracting a wide range of high-quality entries.

Top honours went to Julie Deady, a former Photographer of the Year winner with the club, for her image titled Church of St Primoz and Felicijan. The photograph was taken in Slovenia and captured a striking sunset, with deep reds and strong orange tones stretching across the sky. The setting sun silhouetted a bank of clouds, while warm evening light spilled across the surrounding landscape.
The nearby church, trees and open fields were softly lit, adding depth and balance to the scene. The image impressed judge John Hootan, a distinguished photographer, who praised its exposure, composition and timing. He awarded the photograph full marks, describing it as a benchmark for the competitions ahead.
Members said the standard of entries made the judging particularly competitive and set a positive tone for the year. With such a strong opening round, anticipation is already building for the next monthly themes as members continue to develop their skills and creativity.
The club thanked all members who took part, noting that the growing level of participation and friendly rivalry continues to raise standards across the competitions.

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