Prices for second-hand houses are rising more than twice as fast as those for new homes, according to the latest Permanent TSB survey. Existing homes have seen prices climb by 1.4 per cent per cent in April, compared to 0.6 per cent for new houses.

The average price for a second-hand house was €248,907, while that for a new home was €233,970 in the month.

Over the past year, prices have risen 13.5 per cent for second-hand houses and 11.6 per cent for new homes.

In general, the house price index, compiled in association with the Economic and Social Research Institute, found that the rate of house price growth was easing.

Nationally, growth held firm at 12.9 per cent in the year to April, compared to 13.3 per cent and 13.4 per cent in February and January respectively.

Mr Niall O'Grady, the head of marketing at Permanent TSB, said there was evidence of increasing moderation.

"This moderation is not unexpected given the high level of house building that has been recorded. The growth overall in national prices is up slightly in April, though the year-to-date and year-on-year growth rates show signs of slowing."

The index shows Dublin house prices grew 0.7 per cent in April, while houses outside the capital climbed 1.5 per cent.

During the first four months of 2004, Dublin house prices were up by 3 per cent while the equivalent growth rate outside Dublin was 3.9 per cent.

The average price paid for a house in the capital in April was €316,490, compared to €211,786 for the rest of the country. The equivalent prices a year earlier were €279,815 and €186,025.

House prices for first-time buyers increased by 0.4 per cent, while prices rose by 1.5 per cent for second-time buyers in April, the figures show.