House prices are continuing to rise in Dublin, Galway and Cork but prices have slowed down or declined in some counties, including Limerick.

Following a brief slow-down in the rate of increase of house prices in August the First Active house price index shows that house prices increased by 7 per cent in September, running 7.5 per cent higher than in the second quarter of 1998.

Very large increases were reported both in Dublin city and county, up 14 per cent and 25 per cent respectively, while house prices in neighbouring counties, such as Wicklow, Kildare and Meath, declined.

The index is based on First Active's existing mortgage portfolio and its database of house prices.