PRICES HAVE RISEN by 0.2 per per cent on last year, with the biggest price increase seen in alcoholic beverages, tobacco and education.

According to the latest Central Statistic Office (CSO) there was a rise 4.8 per cent in all these categories.

The Consumer Price Index shows that there was a decrease in in communications, down 4.5 per cent clothing and footwear down 4.1 per cent and furnishings and household equipment down 3.9 per cent, while transport costs were down 2.7 per cent.

Fuel costs

The annual change in categories such as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose mainly due to increases in the cost of rents, electricity and gas, which were partially offset by lower mortgage interest repayments.

Alcoholic drinks and tobacco rose due to higher prices for alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets and higher tobacco prices.

Inflation for restaurants and hotels increased mainly due to higher prices for alcohol consumed on licenced premises, while miscellaneous goods and services increased mainly due to higher health insurance premiums.

Transport

Transport costs fell mainly due to lower petrol and diesel prices and also due to the decrease in airfares.

In terms of the monthly figures for September 2013 compared to the same period last year, communication costs fell due to a decrease in the cost of mobile phone services, while costs in clothing and footwear rose due to a recovery in prices following the traditional summer sales.

September costs for water, electricity and gas all rose due to an increase in the cost of home heating oil and higher rents.

There’s an incredible lack of inflation in eurozone… and the world right now>

Cost of alcohol, eating out and going to school pushes inflation to 0.2 per cent>