Consumer Prices in April, as measured by the CPI, increased by just 0.1% in the month. This compares to an increase of 0.8% in April of last year. As a result, the annual rate of inflation fell to 4.3%, down from 5.0% in March 2008.
Clothing & Footwear prices, decreased by 0.1% in the month and by 2.8% in the year to April 2008. This compares to a decrease of 3.7% for the year to April 2007. In the month, clothing prices decreased by 0.1%, while footwear prices decreased by 0.4%.
In the month, price decreases were recorded for shoes & other footwear (-0.4%) and garments (-0.1%). Price increases were recorded for repair & hire of footwear (+0.6%), dry cleaning & laundry (+0.5%) and other articles of clothing (+0.4%).
Furnishings costs decreased by 0.2% in the month and by 1.0% in the year to April 2008. This compares to a decrease of 1.9% for the year to April 2007.
In the month, price decreases were recorded for furniture & furnishings (-1.6%), household textiles (-1.4%). Price increases were recorded for carpets & other floor coverings (+1.1%), non-durable household goods (+0.6%).
The annual rate of inflation for Services was 4.8% in April, while Goods increased by 3.8% in the year.
Central Statistics Office Ireland