The annual rate of inflation rose to 4.4 per cent in November, marginally below August's three-year high of 4.5 per cent, according to figures published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Prices rose by 0.3 per cent last month compared with October on the back of higher mortgage interest bills following an increase in interest rates by the European Central Bank in October.
As a result, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel costs have increased by 21 per cent due to higher mortgage interest repayments and rent.
November's rise follows two months of inflation falls. In October the inflation rate had eased to 3.9 per cent.
Clothing and footwear prices rose 1.4 per cent in October, while education costs were up 0.6 per cent. Transport prices fell 0.7 per cent as oil prices remained subdued.
Inflation in the services sector also increase, and costs in this area have now increased by 8.5 per cent in the last year. Goods prices have fallen over the past year by 0.3 per cent.
Health costs have increased 4.3 per cent, and visiting restaurants and hotels rose by 4.1 per cent.
The CPI excluding tobacco index for November was up 0.3 per cent in the month and up 4.6 per cent in the year.