Housebuilder Abbey has reported a slight increase in half yearly profits and announced a special dividend of 100 cents per share.
Abbey said its profits before tax for the six months to the end of October came in at €23.93m, up from €23.42m the same time last year.
The company completed 277 sales in the six month period - 239 in the UK, 19 in Ireland and 19 in Czechia.
This generated a turnover of €99.17m, which resulted in an operating profit of €21.52m.
Abbey said that production will soon be in progress on five projects in Ireland and is hoping for a "useful contribution" to the year end figures.
"A further four projects are making their way through the approvals process as efforts continue to grow our Irish business," the company added.
Abbey also said that trading in the UK has held up well over the six months and forward sales continue to be encouraging.
It noted that projects aimed directly at first time buyers were selling well, but added that production continues to be impacted by tight labour and materials markets and some delays have been experienced.
Meanwhile Abbey reported "good sales" at its Prezlitice project in Prague while work has started on the new project for 154 apartments in Horomerice.
Abbey also said its board has carefully reviewed the current financial position of the group together with likely future commitments.
As a result the board has declared a special dividend of 100.00 cents per share, it added.
The board has also declared a dividend of nine cents per share, which together with the 10 cents per share approved at the AGM in October will make a total of 119 cents per share for the financial year.
