This is a slight rise on recent years, but it is well below the levels seen in the mid-2000s, according to new data from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).

Historical Department of Housing data indicates that sole borrowers accounted for close to half of first-time buyer mortgages between 2005 and 2008.

However, single borrowers accounted for 35pc of first-time mortgage drawdowns in Dublin – and a similar percentage in the west – the banking data for the year to June shows.

In Meath and Kildare, no more than a quarter of first-time mortgages were drawn down by sole applicants.

Most new mortgages are drawn down by joint borrowers, but sole borrowers accounted for 31pc overall of first-time buyer mortgages in the 12 months ending last June.

Brian Hayes of the BPFI said

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