The cost of living was slightly up last month when compared with December 2012 but prices were unchanged in December compared to the previous month, figures released by the Central Statistics Office this morning have revealed.

The Consumer Price Index was up just 0.2 per cent in December when compared with the same month last year while the rate of inflation over the course of 2013 was put at 0.5 per cent.

Alcohol and tobacco prices climbed by 5.7 per cent in 2013 while education costs increased by 4.5 per cent, a rise which can be explained by increases in the cost of third level education. Prices in hotels and restaurants climbed by 2.8 per cent, an increase fuelled by higher-priced alcohol.

The cost of clothing and footwear fell by 4 per cent in 2013 while furnishings and household equipment declined by 3.7 per cent. Communication costs fell by 2.4 per cent and transport prices fell back by 1.1 per cent as a result of lower priced petrol and diesel.