A senior economist has questioned if politicians have learned the lesson from the economic crash afterproperty prices jumped by almost 9% in November compared to the same month in 2015.

Unemployment has fallen below 9% for the first time since 2008 — but employers’ body Ibec has expressed concern at the disparity in the pace of employment growth between Dublin and the rest of the country.

The rate of annual inflation rose marginally in November pushed up by the cost of alcohol, tobacco, and education.