House prices are continuing to rise but at a slower pace, according to Irish Permanent's monthly house price index. It shows an 18.4 per cent rise in house prices in April compared with the same month in 2000 with prices rising more slowly for the fourth consecutive month.

The index, which is compiled in association with the Economic and Social Research Institute, also established that national house prices rose by 4 per cent between January and April 2001 compared to a 6.6 per cent rise in the same period last year.

In Dublin, house prices increased by 1 per cent during April, down from 2.7 per cent in March. Outside Dublin city and county, house prices were up by 1 per cent against 1.3 per cent in March.