The rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index rose to 4.8 per cent in March, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which compares inflation rates across the euro zone, also rose by 0.9 per cent in the month and was 5.1 per cent higher than March 2001. This compares with 4.9 per cent in the year to February.
Over March, inflation rose by 0.9 per cent, the CSO said. The most significant monthly price changes included increases in alcohol and tobacco (+2.1 per cent), miscellaneous goods and services (+1.9 per cent), and eating out (+1.8 per cent).
The price of alcohol and tobacco rose due to trade price increases and the increase in VAT. The prices of alcoholic beverages in off-licences and supermarkets rose by 1 per cent while tobacco products increased by 2.9 per cent.
Miscellaneous goods and services rose with increases in the cost of motor, house and health insurance premiums.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in health (+10.5 per cent), miscellaneous goods and services (+10.2 per cent), education (+9.4 per cent), restaurants and hotels (+7.9 per cent).