House prices up again

Average house prices in Ireland increased by 0.4% in December, according to Permanent-TSB's latest house price index.

The financial institution said the increase was slightly above those recorded in December (0.2%), November (0.3%) and October (0.3%).

It also said the latest increase meant that house prices had risen by 8.5% in the 12 months to the end of January, which is slightly down on the annual rates for December (8.6%) and November (9.8%).

Permanent-TSB put the average cost of a house in Dublin last month at just over €336,000, compared to around €220,500 outside the capital.