Rory Hearne: Shift to remote working is bumping up regional house prices 

People want to move out of Dublin and Leinster to other parts of the country, and it is possible with the shift to remote working. But they need affordable homes to rent and buy

House prices are surging around Ireland, and especially in Munster, Connacht and Ulster, in part due to people relocating, with the shift to remote working under Covid. File picture: Pexels

The latest wave of Covid appears to be receding, restrictions are being lifted, and people are feeling hopeful. But, unfortunately, when it comes to housing, things are getting worse if you are looking to buy a home. The latest figures show property prices increased by a whopping 14% in November. 

But it was outside Dublin where prices increased the most. In the border counties, prices increased by a phenomenal 23%, in the South-East by 20%, the Midlands by 17%, and the South-West by 14%. Prices cannot, and should not, be allowed to continue to rise like this. Something has to give.