But while the rate of increase . . . 3.5% in the first three months compared with just 1% last year . . .highlights just how strong the upward trend is, it's the actual euro and cents that buyers have to find that's the bottom line The latest edition of the Permanent TSB/ESRI house-price index provides a formidable array of comparisons over the last three months, which, when taken with rising interest rates, shows just how much more buyers have to fork out Here are just some of the very large numbers involved, and the increase since December 2005 287,664 - average price paid nationally, up 10,000 384,247 - average price in Dublin, up 15,500 249,168 - average price outside Dublin, up almost 9,000 286,695 - average price of a three-bed semi, up 11,800 313,074 - average price of a house in commuter counties, up almost 15,000 284,231 - average price of a new house, up 8,000 256,826 - average price paid by first-time buyers, up 7,300 323,766 - average price paid by second-time buyer, up 12,500