Food prices continue to rise, putting pressure on household budgets
The 'flash' estimate of inflation used across the European Union was 2pc in this country in April.
This was up by 0.4pc since March, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Annual price rises in this country, as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, of 2pc in the year to April compare with a rate of 2.2pc in the Eurozone for April.
Energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 0.3pc in the month in this country, and decreased by 1.7pc in the year to April.
But food prices are estimated to have increased by 0.6pc in the last month, and by 3.1pc in the last 12 months.
The harmonised index, excluding energy and unprocessed food, is estimated to have gone up by 2.5pc since April last year.
CSO statistician in the prices division, Anthony Dawson, said: 'The latest flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), compiled by the CSO, indicates that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have increased by 2pc in the past year.'
He said energy prices fell slightly in the last year, but food prices are up.
Transport costs have fallen by 0.1pc in the month and are up by 2.1pc in the 12 months to April 2025.
April saw a string of price rises imposed on households.
The cost of health insurance, energy, broadband, mobile and television services all went up.
Eight different providers raised charges from the start of the month.
The flurry of price hikes has prompted calls for the Government to go back on its decision to end the cost-of-living packages for consumers.
Health insurers Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health and new player Level Health all raised their prices.
Some health insurance plans rose in cost by up to 16pc.
From April 2, SSE Airtricity hit its 250,000 electricity and 85,000 gas customers with huge price rises of 10.5pc and 8.4pc, respectively.
Dual-fuel customers will face annual bills that are €285 higher over a year.
Telecommunications giant Eir increased prices for around two million customers.
Bills for 600,000 Sky Ireland customers went up this month.
Vodafone's broadband plans will rise by a flat €3.50 from April. Its broadband and TV plans will go up by €4.50.
Mobile phone operator Three Ireland imposes a 4.5pc price increase on its monthly charges every April, according to its website.
Only Virgin Media Ireland and Tesco Mobile have committed to freezing prices this year.
The overall rate of inflation in this country has eased a bit in the past few months from as high as 9pc, but consumers are still paying elevated prices for goods and services after two years of rapid cost increases. This is especially the case with energy.
Most prices are up between 20pc and 30pc over the last two years.
Experts said it could take at least two years before people get back the purchasing power and standard of living they had before inflation took off after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This is particularly the case with food prices, which have jumped by up to 25pc cumulatively over the last two to three years.
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