Food prices have continued to rise, with diary items such as butter, cheese and milk going up in price, according to the consumer price index for October from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Overall consumer prices rose by 2.9pc in the 12 months to October.
This is up from the annual increase of 2.7pc in September, and represents the highest annual rate of inflation since March 2024, the CSO said.
The division with the largest increases in the 12 months to October was education, where costs were up by 8.4pc. This reflects higher third-level education costs.
The Government has reduced the student contribution fee by €500 this year. But last year it was lowered by €1,000.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices are up by 4.5pc in the year.
Statistician Anthony Dawson said: “There were price increases in the 12 months to October 2025 for Irish cheddar per kg (+80c), a pound of butter (+64c), 2 litres of full fat milk (+22c), an 800g loaf of white sliced pan (+7c), an 800g loaf of brown sliced pan (+3c), and spaghetti per 500g (+1c).
“There was a decrease in the price of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes (-38c) when compared with October 2024.”
A rise in cost of electricity and higher mortgage interest repayments were recorded by the CSO.
This likely the fact that a raft of electricity providers put their prices up this month.
And people coming off fixed-rate mortgages are likely to be facing higher rates.
A break-down of the price rises show a range of household staples continuing to go up in price.
The cost of a white sliced pan is up 7c to €1.68 in October this year compared with the same month last year.
Steak has become unaffordable for many families.
CSO statisticians said sirloin steak per kilogram is now €22.04, a rise of €4.83 on the same month last year.
This is a 28pc rise in a year.
Roast beef/topside is now €3.10 dearer per kg than last year at €15.91. This is a rise of 24pc.
A leg of lamb now costs €17.41, up €2.91 on last year.
The price of a pint of Guinness is now 25c dearer than last year at a national average price of €6.06, the CSO figures show.
Cumulatively, grocery prices are up around 36pc since before Ukraine was invaded by the Russians, that prompted an energy-price spike.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore claimed in the Dáil in the summer that some families were now paying €3,000 more a year on groceries.
Two litres of full fat milk now costs €2.46, a rise of 22c in a year.
Meanwhile, more than half of consumers are planning to cut back on dining out and entertainment this Christmas because of cost-of-living pressures.
And a majority plan to give smaller gifts, according to the latest KPMG Next Gen Retail Survey.
One in five of those surveyed said they plan to use credit facilities to pay for Christmas.
The survey found that 77pc of shoppers expect Christmas shopping to be far more expensive this year than last year.
Some 40pc of those surveyed plan to spend less compared to last Christmas.
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