House buyers risk return to commuter belt: ESRI

It’s back to the commuter belt for house buyers, meaning more marathon treks to work, long hours in childcare and strains on local services, a study warns.

The analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute says too few houses are being built in the areas of highest demand despite the lure of high prices.

Cork, Dublin and Galway in particular have seen house prices jump more than 30% since the start of 2013, but the prices still aren’t attractive enough on their own to kick-start substantial levels of construction in these key areas of demand.