Consumer prices rose by 0.1% in the year to October. Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) recorded rises in the cost of alcohol (up 5.3%), education (up 4.6%) and dining out (up 1.8%).

But the price of clothing (down 4.1%), furniture (down 4%), communications (down 3.8%) and transport (down 2.2%) all fell over the 12 months.

Monthly inflation figures show a slight decrease in the cost of living in October itself.

The CSO says the main factors for the annual change were because of higher prices for alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets and higher tobacco prices.

It also says that the cost of eating out in restaurants and hotels grew for the same reason.

Housing and utility costs saw a rise mainly due to increases in the cost of rents, and education increased because of a hike in third-level costs.

The CSO says transport fell mainly due to decreases in petrol and diesel, as well as motor car prices.