Ciara Leahy, consumer editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Healy Hynes from REA (Real Estate Alliance) Hynes based in Athlone spoke on the main stage about the difficulty of meeting living costs whilst trying to save for a 20% deposit to buy a house.

Ciara said that three years ago, after living in Dublin for seven years, her partner and her were at a crossroads to either get married or save for a house.

"I decided to get married. I didn't regret this life decision,” she said. Since then, however, the property market has changed significantly and she finds herself paying a significant amount of rent every month.

Giving advice to Ciara and many others who find themselves in a similar situation, Healy said that buying a property outside Dublin where house prices are cheaper and trying to work two or three days a week from home could be an option for some.

"Also, Ireland has a history of home-ownership. I see a shift towards renting becoming more established here, a more of a continental-type living,” Healy said.

The main recommendation for prospective house buyers, however, was to strategically select your location and make sure you have job security when the time is right to make the move.

If you’re looking for a job, pick up a copy of this week's Irish Farmers Journal There were 1,120 jobs on offer at the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair last week. The jobs wall on display at the event is replicated over seven pages in this week's Irish Country Living supplement.

Not all of these roles have been filled yet so make sure you get in touch with employers straight away: contact details are included in the jobs wall for each.

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Generation 20%

Full coverage: Agri Careers