The body representing builders, the Construction Industry Federation, is welcoming a new scheme to make it easier to get a mortgage.

The Government initiative is aimed at first-time buyers and designed to help kickstart house building.

Meanwhile new figures show there's been an increase of over 65% in the number of mortgages issued in the first quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.

Our News Correspondent Fergal O'Brien reports: