House Prices: Prices for new homes in Dublin increased by 0.3 per cent in January and by 0.8 per cent in the rest of the country, says Lisney's research and data manager Sunnhild Bertz.

"The 1.8 per cent growth in jobs during 2003 is a positive signal for housing demand," according to Bertz.

"A continuation of a trend towards a higher skill profile in the greater Dublin region will underpin demand for Dublin homes at the top end of the market."

Housing demand at the top end of the Dublin market, says Bertz, is unlikely to be affected by decentralisation with "80 per cent of those senior officials affected by the proposals reluctant to move.

"Any interest (in decentralisation) has been from mid-ranking and lower civil service grades.

"This will fuel housing demand in the regions."

Sunnhild Bertz also suggests that more than 50 per cent of the annual employment increase in 2003 was in the 25-34 age group and this is "contributing positively to demand for homes from first-time buyers".