Irish consumer price inflation accelerates as expected in March - CSO

Ireland’s consumer prices climbed at their fastest annual rate since January 2024, the Central Statistics Office reported on Thursday.

The consumer price index for March showed prices rising 3.6% on an annual basis, accelerating from a 2.7% on-year increase for February.

This was the loftiest rate of consumer price inflation since a 4.1% jump recorded in January 2024, the CSO said.

Consumer prices for March rose 2.7% on-year when excluding energy and unprocessed food, it added.

The clothing & footwear category showed the highest rate of annual inflation, with prices rising 9.0%. The only division to show deflation was furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance, where prices decreased 0.9%.

On-month, consumer prices increased 1.6% in March. They had risen 0.9% in February from January.

Harmonised consumer prices, allowing for EU-wide comparison, rose 3.6% on-year in March, the rate of inflation accelerating from 2.5% in February. The reading was in line with a flash estimate.

Prices rose 1.8% in March from February on a harmonised basis. They had increased 0.8% in February from January.

Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.