Inflation rate unchanged at 4.3% over past month
Ireland's inflation rate has remained unchanged at 4.3% over the past month, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The CSO says that the rising cost of services, which is up 5.5% in the past year, is the main factor keeping inflation at a high rate.
The cost of goods has risen by just 3% over the same period.
The main drivers of inflation during the year have been a 12% rise under the heading of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels.
Education and health costs are also up more than 6% each, while the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks has increased by a similar amount.
The average price of clothing and footwear has actually fallen by 5.5% over the same period, while costs under the heading of Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance are also down 1.7%.
