Housing prices nationally rose by 2.9% during the first three months of 2019, according to the latest Daft.ie House.
The national average price in the first quarter of the year was €261,000, up 5.9% on the figure for the same period last year, an increase of €15,000 on average. It is the 22nd consecutive quarter that the national average price was higher than a year ago.
In Sligo, prices in the first three months of 2019 were 7% higher than a year previously, compared to a rise of 5% seen a year ago. The average house price is now €143,000, 36% above its lowest point.
In Leitrim, prices in the first three months of 2019 were 11% higher than a year previously, compared to a rise of 2% seen a year ago. The average house price is now €137,000, 60% above its lowest point.
In Donegal, prices in the first three months of 2019 were 5% higher than a year previously, compared to a fall of 2% seen a year ago. The average house price is now €146,000, 28% above its lowest point.
Meanwhile One in five people in Ireland are spending 40 per cent or more of their wages on rent. Social Justice Ireland say it’s concerning given the increasing numbers of people renting.
A study by the organisation suggests one in ten people pay over 60 per cent of disposable income on rent.
Michelle Murphy is a Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.
She says it’s unlikely a significant number of current renters will own their own homes in the future:
