Growth in prices paid for houses and apartments accelerated again in February at the fastest pace in almost seven years, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The figures show that residential property prices rose by 15.3% in the 12 months to February, compared with growth of 14.8% in January.

Prices again rose more quickly outside Dublin – at a rate of 16.8%, compared with 13.5% in the capital.

In Dublin, house prices increased by 13.6% and apartment prices by 12.8%. The highest house price growth in Dublin was in Fingal (14.3%).

February purchases up 12%

Outside Dublin, house prices were up by 16.7% and apartment prices rose by 17.8%. House prices in the border region jumped by 26.9%.

Revenue recorded 3,584 purchases of homes at market prices in February – an increase of almost 12% compared with the same month last year.

Existing dwellings accounted for almost 85% of these purchases, with just over 15% linked to new homes.

Households paid a median price of €282,000 for a residential property in the 12 months to February 2022.