The annual rate of inflation was steady at 4.8% in April, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office today.
The consumer price index rose by 0.9% in April - the same monthly increase for April of last year the CSO added. This was due to increases in the cost of motor and house insurance premiums, higher childcare costs and increased charges for hospitals.
Transport costs were also higher with increases in the cost of fuels, motor cars and higher fares for air and sea travel. Prices for meals out and drink were also higher.
The CPI index had also risen by 0.9% in March.
The CSO said that the most notable changes in the year were increases in goods and services (up 11%), health (up 10.8%) education (up 9.4%) restaurants, hotels and licences premises (up 7.5%) and recreation and culture (up 7%).
The price of clothing and footware actually fell 2.9% during the year.
On the basis of the European Union harmonised index of consumer prices - used for EU comparsions - prices rose 5% in the 12 months to the end of April, compared with a 5.1% rise for the year to the end of March.
Friends First economist Jim Power said it would now take a very sharp decline in inflation to deliver its forecast for annual inflation of 4.2%. He said Ireland could no longer be described as a low inflation country.
Power said a lack of proper competition in some sectors, excessive profiteering, the euro changeover and higher wage costs were all making a strong contribution to the 'worrying price trends'.
Bloxham economist Alan McQuaid also upped his inflation forecast for the year to 4.5% from a previous 4.2%, with the risks on the upside. IIB Bank's Austin Hughes said he was sticking to his forecast of a 4.7% average for the year, referring to the 'relentless grind towards higher prices across the spectrum of service areas'.
