The rate of increase in house prices slowed again last month, according to the latest national house price index.

The Irish Permanent index showed that the growth in house prices slowed to 1.1 per cent in February from 1.7 per cent in January and 1.5 per cent last December. In the 12 months to February, prices rose by 18.9 per cent compared to 19.6 per cent in the year to January.

New house prices remained unchanged in February.

Prices continued to rise faster outside Dublin, where they increased by 1.5 per cent, compared to a 0.8 per cent increase in the capital.