Consumer prices measured by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) increased by 0.9 per cent in April - the same as the monthly increase for April last year.
The annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 4.8 per cent at the end of April, according to the latest consumer price figures published today by the CSO.
Consumer Prices, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), increased by 0.9 per cent in April, the same rate of increase as April 2001, leaving the annual rate unchanged.
The main factors contributing to the monthly change were price increases in services including motor and house insurance premiums, higher childcare costs and increased charges for nursing homes.
Transport costs rose with increases in the cost of motor fuels, motor cars and higher fares for sea and air travel.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in services (+11.3 per cent), health (+10.8 per cent) and education (+9.4 per cent).
Irish inflation as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rose by 0.7 per cent in the month and by 5 per cent for the year compared to an EU average of 2.6 per cent.