Energy prices rose by 15.5% in the 12 months to April, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Food prices are estimated to have increased by 2% in the last 12 months, the latest figures from the CSO show.
The CSO said the rate of inflation in the year to April is estimated to have risen by 3.6%, the same rate as it was in the 12 months to March when there was a significant increase following the rapid rise in oil prices following the Iran war.
Anthony Dawson, statistician with the CSO, said: "The collection of prices for April 2026 took place between 13-23 April which means that some fuel prices would have been collected before the extra Government measures on fuel costs were introduced."
He added that inflation "excluding energy and unprocessed food prices, is estimated to have risen by 2.3% since April 2025."
The figures are compiled on the basis of the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.
The Department of Finance last week forecast that inflation could average between 3.3% and 4.6% this year, depending on the scale of the impact on energy prices from the Middle East conflict.
