Daft House Price Report, Tipperary – House Prices Fall 19% During 2009

House Prices Fall 19% During 2009

Asking prices for residential property around the country fell by 19% during 2009 and are now more than 30% below their peak levels of early 2007, according to the latest report published by property website Daft.ie. The national average asking price at the end of 2009 was €242,000 – a fall of €107,000 from the peak.

The rate of decline in asking prices has varied across the country. In Dublin, asking prices have dropped by up to 42% – while in Cork, Galway and Waterford, asking prices fell by approximately 30%. In Limerick, drops were on average 25%, while elsewhere in the country, prices are now on average 30% below their peak in early 2007. In most parts of the country, the average time to sell a typical property now takes about 9 months, while Dublin has fallen to four months.

Highlighting the link between price falls and movement on the market, Daft.ie economist Ronan Lyons said: “Over the course of 2009, Dublin saw the largest fall in asking prices, as sellers adjusted to market conditions. At the same time, the total stock for sale in the capital fell by almost 20% over the year. In other parts of the country however, where there have been significantly smaller falls in asking prices, the number of properties available for sale is still rising.”

Tipperary and Munster
House price falls accelerated in Munster in the final three months of the year, with prices falling 6%, compared to falls in previous quarters of around 4%. The average price of a house in Tipperary in the final quarter of the year was just over €200,000, down from a peak of over €265,000 in 2007.

Commenting on the report, Alan McQuaid, economist with Bloxham Stockbrokers, said: “Although houses have in general become more affordable in terms of price, this is of little comfort to potential purchasers if credit is still very tight. As such, it is therefore imperative that the country’s banking system is put back on a sound footing as soon as possible. This must be the Government’s main objective for 2010.”

For further information please contact:
Ronan Lyons (086 604 5655, 01 421 8700), Daft.ie – media@daft.ie

IFA seeks road salting and snow clearing plan

IFA Deputy President-elect Eddie Downey has called on Environment Minister John Gormley, National Roads Authority Chief Fred Barry and the County and City Managers Associations to immediately take action to rectify the inadequate response to the cold weather.

He said, “Rural Ireland is currently paralysed by the response of the authorities to the snow and

freezing road conditions. Failure to carry out gritting has left many areas inaccessible, forced the cancellation of social events and medical visits by District Health Nurses while many areas have no transport or postal services. At this stage schools that were due to re-open this Thursday are likely to stay closed as parents will not risk travelling the country roads.”

“The be patient and it will be ok response from the National Roads Authority is inadequate and unacceptable. A road salting and snow-clearing plan must now be put in place that sets out when and how every road from motorways to local roads will be gritted and cleared. In the short term, each County Council must provide roadside grit heaps on request, which will allow local people treat trouble spots on regional and secondary roads to avoid a repeat of the hardship facing rural Ireland at this time. For the future, local authorities should also contract local farmers to carry out this salting and road clearing. This already happens in the UK, with over 200 farmers contracted in some counties.”

Freezing weather destroys €15M worth of potatoes and fresh produce – IFA

The freezing weather conditions of the last fortnight have had a devastating impact on potato producers, with initial estimates showing losses of over €15m on potato crops still in the ground.

IFA National Potato Committee Vice-Chairman Thomas Carpenter said 6,000 acres of potatoes across the country remain unharvested due to the disastrous wet weather in November and early December, and the frost in the last few weeks.  Estimates by growers on the ground quantify that at least 75% of these crops will be lost to frost damage.

He said, “this situation is a wipeout for growers who endured a very difficult season with low prices for their produce, rising input costs and the worst weather conditions for years.”

Thomas Carpenter said depending on how quickly temperatures rise and ground conditions improve, farmers may find they have no crop to harvest. The losses will result in a 20% reduction in marketable produce and retailers must respond immediately by paying a viable price to producers for crop in store.

Mr Carpenter also called on the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith to address the situation and come forward with a support package for those farmers worst affected.

The IFA said the situation regarding field vegetable crops such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots and celery was being monitored. Growers have been unable to harvest these crops in the last few weeks and are not yet in a position to estimate their losses.

In addition, some winter tillage crops, especially winter oats, are becoming vulnerable to severe frost damage following the extended cold spell.

Interested in growing your own food?

First Meeting of GIY Tipperary Town

GIY (Grow it Yourself) Ireland is a new not-for-profit initiative that is literally sweeping the nation.  Its objective is to get people who are interested in growing their own food together (in the community and online) on a regular basis to talk, learn from each other and exchange tips, produce and war stories.   GIY activities include monthly meetings, talks and demos; garden visits, seed and seedling swaps; produce bartering, mentor panels and grower’s meitheals.

GIY Ireland aims to establish a GIY group in every community in Ireland.  There are currently 30 GIY groups in 15 counties nationwide and over 50 other groups in development.  Meetings are free and open to people who are growing at all levels – from those who grow a few herbs in a window box to those who are completely self-sufficient, from absolute beginners to old hands.   Patrons of GIY Ireland include Darina Allen, Clodagh McKenna and Joy Larkcom.  Your local GIY group needs a mix of interests, abilities and experience to make this a success – so don’t be shy.  Come along and bring any family, friends or neighbours who might be interested too.

GIY Tipperay Town will be based in The French Quarter cafe.  The first meeting takes place on 26th January 2010 at 7.30pm .  For more information visit www.giyireland.com.