Residential property prices rose by 8% in February, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

This is compared to the same month last year. 

The growth compares to year-on-year increases of 7.6% in January and 6.6% in December.

Outside of Dublin, prices rose by 11.5% - the strongest growth rate since May 2007.

In the capital, there was a 4% rise in the 12 months, although residential property prices decreased by 0.01% in February from January. 

Property prices nationally showed no change in February from the previous month, according to the figures.

House prices are now just over 35% lower than they were at peak times in 2007.