Average new house prices rose by 1.2 per cent nationally but fell by 2.3 per cent in Dublin over the three months to the end of September 2000, according to new data.

The Housing Statistics Bulletin - September Quarter 2000, published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, shows that second-hand house prices rose by 3.9 per cent nationally and by 2.3 per cent in Dublin in the three-month period.

Over the year to the end of September 2000, new house prices rose by 11.9 per cent nationally and by 10.3 per cent in Dublin, according to Department data.

Over the same period the figures show second-hand house prices rising by 17.7 per cent nationally and by 16.4 per cent in Dublin.

Loan approvals rose 11 per cent of £1.85 billion in the period under review compared to the year ago quarter, although they were down slightly on approvals during the three months to June 2000. Loans drawn down valued £1.64 billion, a rise of 16 per cent on last year.

The figures compare with the Irish Permanent/ESRI House Price Index released last month. This showed a 20.3 per cent rise nationally in house prices for the year to October, down from 20.6 per cent for the year to September.

This index showed a rise in house prices in Dublin in October of 1.7 per cent compared to just 0.4 per cent in September. Outside Dublin it showed a 0.9 per cent rise in October following a 0.4 per cent increase in September.