The annual rate of inflation rose to 3.9% in May from 3.8% in April, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show. The rise - the fifth in a row - came on the back of higher costs for home heating oil, as well as higher prices for lamb, pork, cakes and fresh vegetables.
Mortgage interest repayments also rose last month, as did the cost of eating out.
The CSO says that consumer prices in May increased by 0.4%. This is the same increase seen the same time last year, and as a result the annual rate of inflation rose to 3.9%.
The annual rate of inflation for goods was 2.6% in May, while the corresponding rate for services was 5.1%.
During May, prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose by 0.9% with increases for average mortgage interest repayments, home heating oil and rents. Costs in restaurants and hotels rose by 0.8%, while prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks increased by 0.8%. The prices of lamb, pork, bacon, other meat products cakes and some fresh vegetables went up last month, the CSO figures show.
In the year, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices rose by 14%, while costs for transport were up 4.8%. Education costs increased by 4.7%, while health costs rose by 4.5% and prices in hotels and restaurants were up 4%.
Prices for clothing and footwear fell by 1.9% in the year, while prices for furnishings and household equipment dropped by 0.9%.
