House price surge lifts wealth levels

Figures from the Central Bank show that a key measure of household debt fell sharply in the year to the end of March - but Irish households are still the fourth most indebted in the EU

House prices big factor in rising household wealth. Pic: RollingNews.ie

Figures from the Central Bank show that a key measure of Irish household debt fell sharply in the year to the end of March.

While the amount of money owed by households remained little changed at €140.2 billion in the first quarter of this year, debt as a proportion of disposable income dropped to 133.3 per cent as incomes rose. This percentage was the lowest in 14 years.

It also represented a drop ...