House prices have risen by 2.5 percent during recent months, in what the Minister for Finance has called "tentative signs of recovery".
Today’s Sunday Independent reports that along with the property price increase, retailers have seen one of the best Christmases in recent years.
Michael Noonan says the figures are some of the best signs that confidence is returning to the Irish economy, and says the Government plans to build on the work already done.
Despite the positive signs, the number of permissions given for new homes to be built across Clare remains at a low level.
Local authorities in the county granted a total of 133 planning permissions in the third quarter of the year, but this contained permission for only 39 dwellings.
The figure is broadly in line with trends recorded so far this year, but is down from 66 in the same timeframe last year.
Permission was also granted for 31 other new buildings, as well as for 9 alterations or conservasions and 54 extensions to be carried out.
