The rate of inflation eased to 5.8 per cent in the year to July, down from a rate of 6.1 per cent in the 12 months to June.
CSO figures show the largest increases in prices over the year were in housing, electricity, gas and other fuels, up 16.5 per cent.
Recreation and culture saw an increase of 13.9 per cent.
Economist Jim Power says two areas stand out as being particularly problematic when it comes to price rises:
"One is mortgage interest costs, and that's reflecting what the European Central Bank was doing. Up 2.3% again in July and there now the average mortgage is 49.5% higher than a year ago. That is pretty dramatic stuff. And then package holidays up 14.8% in the month".
