Private-sector credit growth in Ireland eased back from record levels of recent months in March, but still remained extremely strong.
The Central Bank said annual growth was 29% cent in March, down from 29.4% in February.
Private sector credit increased by €3.5 billion over the month.
The bank said this slowdown did not follow through to mortgage credit. Adjusted residential mortgages increased by €2.1 billion in March, the third highest increase on record. The rate of growth picked up from 29.6% to 29.8%.
The bank said this strong demand for residential mortgages has taken place against a background of a rapid increase in new-house building.
Official figures show that nearly 22,000 houses were completed in the first quarter of 2006.
