Ireland house prices could continue rising for the near future, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has warned the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight. This is mainly due to low investment and rapidly increasing population, causing demand to overtake supply. According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, only 66% of Irish houses are owner-occupied, a significant fall from about 79% in 1991. Data from the Residential Tenancies Board and ESRI estimate the average Dublin rent now to be about €2,102. In its opening statement, the ESRI, as reported by The Irish Times, said:…