September inflation rises to 3.34 per cent as education costs surge

Annual inflation stood at 35.02 per cent compared with September last year.

Education recorded the sharpest monthly increase among the main spending categories, rising by 12.52 per cent.

Transport costs increased by 5.66 per cent, while food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2.66 per cent. Prices in the miscellaneous goods and services category increased by 2.62 per cent, followed by health at 2.05 per cent and clothing and footwear at 1.94 per cent.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose by 1.17 per cent, while smaller increases were recorded in recreation and culture, communications, restaurants and hotels, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Among individual products, red cabbage recorded the largest price rise in September, increasing by 89.85 per cent. Tomatoes were up 73.58 per cent and parsley rose by 64.26 per cent.

The biggest price falls were recorded for cucumbers, down 36.81 per cent, National Lottery tickets, down 33.33 per cent, and fresh beans, which fell by 23.22 per cent.

The Statistical Institute said average prices increased for 454 items covered by the Consumer Price Index, while prices fell for 103 items.

September’s monthly inflation rate was also higher than in the previous two months, after inflation was recorded at 3.04 per cent in August and 2.90 per cent in July.