For the third consecutive month, house prices have increased at a faster rate outside of Dublin than within the capital, a reversal of the trend of previous years, according to the latest figures from the Irish Permanent's House Price Index.

In November, Dublin house prices rose by 1 per cent, compared to 1.9 per cent outside of the capital.

In the 12 months to November, house prices outside Dublin rose by 20.4 per cent.

In Dublin, there was a 17.1 per cent increase in house prices.

In the previous 12-month period, Dublin house prices rose by 34 per cent compared to 25 per cent outside the city, according to the index which is based on the bank's mortgage portfolio.

The index shows that house prices have risen across the State by 16.2 per cent in the year to date. In November, house prices rose by 1.7 per cent, compared to a rise of 1.2 per cent in October. The average price for a house paid by a first-time buyer is £96,298 (€122,273). The average price for a new house was £113,460.

Over a 12-month period, there has been a 19.2 per cent increase in house prices.

Ms Jane Kelly, economist with the Irish Permanent, said that apart from the November rise, there had been a downward trend in the price index in the year to date.

The Irish Permanent, the State's largest mortgage lender, compiles the index along with the Economic and Social Research Institute.