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Extra information
For more information on this release:
E-mail: cpi@cso.ie Barra Casey (+353) 21 453 5770 Mary O'Connell (+353) 21 453 5445 Ann Ross (+353) 21 453 5427
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5767
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Consumer Price Index

February 2015

CPI and HICP
 CPI HICP
 % monthly change % annual change % monthly change % annual change
Oct 2014-0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.4
Nov 2014-0.3 0.1 -0.3 0.2
Dec 2014-0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3
Jan 2015-0.8 -0.6 -0.7 -0.4
Feb 20150.6 -0.5 0.6 -0.4

Prices fall by 0.5% in the year to February

CPI/HICP - ALL ITEMS Annual Percentage Change
go to full release

Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 0.5% lower in February compared with February 2014.

The most notable changes in the year were decreases in Transport (-7.0%), Clothing & Footwear (-3.0%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-2.9%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.7%).  There were increases in Education (+4.9%), Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+2.3%), Restaurants & Hotels (+1.8%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+1.6%).

Consumer Prices in February, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.6% in the month.  During February of last year, prices rose by 0.5% in the month.  The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+6.1%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (+1.5%).  There were decreases in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-0.8%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.7%).

Contributions to the overall CPI – annual change

Table 17 shows the contribution of each 2-digit COICOP1 division to the overall change in the CPI.  A detailed breakdown of the individual components of each of the 12 COICOP divisions is presented in Tables 4 to 15.

The divisions which caused the largest downward contribution to the CPI in the year were Transport (-0.99%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.34%), Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-0.13%) and Clothing & Footwear (-0.13%).

The divisions which caused the largest upward contribution to the CPI in the year were Restaurants & Hotels (+0.30%), Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+0.29%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.26%).

The main factors contributing to the annual change were as follows:

  • Transport fell mainly due to lower petrol and diesel prices, a fall in airfares and a reduction in the price of motor cars.
  • Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased due to lower prices across a range of products such as meat, vegetables and bread & cereals.
  • Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance fell primarily due to the reduced cost of furniture and furnishings, household textiles and glassware, tableware and household utensils.
  • Clothing & Footwear decreased due to sales.
  • Restaurants & Hotels increased mainly due to an increase in the cost of hotel accommodation and higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc.
  • Miscellaneous Goods & Services rose primarily due to higher motor and health insurance premiums, which were partially offset by reduced rates for the local property tax in certain parts of the country.
  • Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels increased mainly due to higher rents and the introduction of water supply and sewage collection charges2, which were partially offset by lower mortgage interest repayments and a decrease in the cost of home heating oil.

Contributions to the overall CPI – monthly change

The divisions which caused the largest upward contribution to the CPI in the month were Clothing & Footwear (+0.24%), Restaurants & Hotels (+0.14%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+0.10%).  The division which caused the largest downward contribution in the month was Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.08%).

The main factors contributing to the monthly change were as follows:

  • Clothing & Footwear increased due to a recovery in prices following the traditional winter sales.
  • Restaurants & Hotels rose mainly due to an increase in the cost of hotel accommodation.
  • Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels increased primarily due to an increase in the cost of home heating oil and higher rents.
  • Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased mainly due to lower prices for chocolate and meat. 

CPI sub-indices

The annual rate of inflation for Services was 2.4% in the year to February, while Goods decreased by 4.4%.  Services, excluding mortgage interest repayments, increased by 3.4% in the year since February 2014.

The CPI excluding tobacco increased by 0.6% in the month of February and fell by 0.8% in the year.  The CPI excluding mortgage interest increased by 0.6% in the month and fell by 0.2% in the year.

Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices

Prices on average, as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), decreased by 0.4% compared with February 2014.

The most notable changes in the year were decreases in Transport (-7.7%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-2.9%), Clothing & Footwear (-2.9%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (-2.8%).  There were increases in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+5.6%), Education (+4.9%), Restaurants & Hotels (+1.9%) and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+1.2%).

The HICP increased by 0.6% in the month.  During February of last year prices also rose by 0.6%.

The most significant monthly price changes were increases in Clothing & Footwear (+6.1%) and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (+1.4%).  There were decreases in Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (-0.8%) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.7%).

1 Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000).

2 See background notes for more detail.

Contributions to changeannual % change
Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages-2.9
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco1.2
Clothing & Footwear-3
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels1.6
Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance-2.7
Health0
Transport-7
Communications0.4
Recreation & Culture-0.3
Education4.9
Restaurants & Hotels1.8
Miscellaneous Goods & Services2.3
ALL ITEMS-0.5
Table 1 Consumer Price Index (All Items)
PeriodConsumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Dec. 2011=100 Dec. 2006=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
           
2008Year102.4 107.0     4.1
2009Year97.9 102.2     -4.5
2010Year96.9 101.2     -1.0
2011Year99.4 103.8     2.6
2012Year101.1 105.6     1.7
2013Year101.6 106.1     0.5
2014Year101.8 106.3     0.2
           
2012January99.5 103.9 -0.5 -0.8 2.2
 February100.4 104.8 0.9 0.1 2.1
 March101.4 105.9 1.0 1.4 2.2
 April101.4 105.9 0.0 1.9 1.9
 May101.4 105.9 0.0 1.0 1.8
 June101.2 105.7 -0.2 -0.2 1.7
 July101.1 105.6 -0.1 -0.3 1.6
 August101.7 106.2 0.6 0.3 2.0
 September101.6 106.0 -0.1 0.4 1.6
 October101.5 106.0 -0.1 0.4 1.2
 November101.1 105.5 -0.4 -0.6 0.8
 December101.2 105.6 0.1 -0.4 1.2
           
2013January100.7 105.2 -0.5 -0.8 1.2
 February101.5 105.9 0.8 0.4 1.1
 March101.9 106.4 0.4 0.7 0.5
 April101.9 106.4 0.0 1.2 0.5
 May101.8 106.3 -0.1 0.3 0.4
 June101.9 106.4 0.1 0.0 0.7
 July101.8 106.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.7
 August101.9 106.3 0.1 0.1 0.2
 September101.8 106.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2
 October101.6 106.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.1
 November101.4 105.9 -0.2 -0.5 0.3
 December101.4 105.9 0.0 -0.4 0.2
           
2014January100.9 105.3 -0.5 -0.7 0.2
 February101.4 105.9 0.5 0.0 -0.1
 March102.1 106.6 0.7 0.7 0.2
 April102.2 106.7 0.1 1.3 0.3
 May102.2 106.7 0.0 0.8 0.4
 June102.3 106.8 0.1 0.2 0.4
 July102.1 106.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.3
 August102.3 106.8 0.2 0.1 0.4
 September102.1 106.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.3
 October101.8 106.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.2
 November101.5 106.0 -0.3 -0.8 0.1
 December101.1 105.6 -0.4 -1.0 -0.3
           
2015January100.3 104.7 -0.8 -1.5 -0.6
 February100.9 105.3 0.6 -0.6 -0.5
           
Table 2 Consumer Price Index Subindices - February 2015
Subindices  Consumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Weights         
2015 Dec. 2011=100Dec. 2006=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
CPI excluding Tobacco97.555 100.5104.2 0.6 -0.7 -0.8
CPI excluding Housing88.543 101.6106.2 0.6 -1.0 -0.9
CPI excluding Mortgage Interest95.807 102.8107.1 0.6 -0.6 -0.2
CPI excluding Mortgage Interest and Local Property Tax95.213 102.5106.8 0.6 -0.6 -0.2
CPI excluding Energy Products90.192 101.5103.4 0.6 0.2 0.5
CPI excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food85.021 101.8104.2 0.7 0.3 0.8
           
Notes: CPI excluding Housing excludes rents, mortgage interest, maintenance & repair of the dwelling, refuse collection, sewage collection and
           insurance connected with the dwelling.
           CPI excluding Mortgage Interest and Local Property Tax excludes the items mortgage interest and miscellaneous goods & services (part of
           COICOP 12.70) which predominantly comprises the local property tax.
           CPI excluding Energy Products excludes fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment and electricity, gas & other fuels.
           CPI excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food excludes fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment, electricity, gas & other fuels, meat,
           vegetables, fruit and fish.
Table 3 Consumer Price COICOP Division Indices - February 2015
COICOP Division  Consumer Price Index (CPI) Percentage changes
Weights         
2015 Dec. 2011=100Dec. 2006=100 1 month 3 months 12 months
            
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages11.668 97.199.1 -0.7 -1.0 -2.9
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco5.300 113.6125.3 -0.8 0.2 1.2
03Clothing and Footwear4.371 88.663.8 6.1 -4.5 -3.0
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels15.988 100.1107.5 0.6 1.9 1.6
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance4.448 90.078.7 1.5 -1.2 -2.7
06Health2.942 101.2117.7 0.1 -0.2 0.0
07Transport13.607 96.0104.7 0.6 -4.5 -7.0
08Communications3.030 92.698.1 0.0 0.3 0.4
09Recreation and Culture7.428 98.597.2 0.3 0.1 -0.3
10Education2.562 114.9151.4 0.0 0.0 4.9
11Restaurants and Hotels17.045 106.1107.9 0.9 0.4 1.8
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services11.610 110.1132.0 0.5 -0.4 2.3
 ALL ITEMS100.000 100.9105.3 0.6 -0.6 -0.5
 Of which:          
   Goods42.927 94.492.9 0.6 -2.9 -4.4
   Services57.073 106.2116.6 0.6 1.1 2.4
   Energy Products9.808 94.4126.7 0.5 -8.0 -9.8
   Utilities and Local Charges3.861 123.5140.6 0.0 10.7 11.9
   Alcohol10.122 110.0111.7 -0.5 0.0 -0.7
   Tobacco2.445 114.1145.4 0.0 0.1 5.6
   Mortgage Interest4.193 69.875.2 -0.1 -2.0 -8.3
   Services excluding Mortgage Interest52.880 110.5121.6 0.6 1.4 3.4
            
Notes: See Background Notes for definition of COICOP divisions, goods, services and utilities and local charges.
            Restaurants and Hotels (COICOP 11) includes alcoholic beverages consumed on licensed premises.
            Alcohol constitutes part of COICOP 02 (off-licence sales) and part of COICOP 11 (alcohol consumed on licensed premises) giving a combined
            index for alcohol.
Table 4 COICOP Division 01 Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
01.1 Food10.6442 97.0 -0.8-2.8
   01.1.1 Bread & Cereals1.8671 95.5 0.2-2.8
                   Rice0.0508 103.1 -1.2-1.0
                   Flours & other cereals0.0634 110.1 0.2-1.2
                   Bread0.6205 95.7 0.3-3.4
                   Other bakery products0.5805 91.9 1.3-1.4
                   Pizza & quiche0.1418 86.6 5.4-2.5
                   Pasta products & couscous0.0998 90.6 -4.7-5.7
                   Breakfast cereals0.2655 104.7 -2.9-4.8
                   Other cereal products0.0447 93.9 0.3-2.6
   01.1.2 Meat2.6223 97.7 -0.9-2.8
                    Beef & veal0.4512 102.4 -5.9-2.4
                    Pork0.1578 92.3 -1.0-6.7
                    Lamb & goat0.1530 94.9 0.0-4.3
                    Poultry0.4977 96.2 -0.5-1.3
                    Edible offal0.0070 103.4 0.60.4
                    Dried, salted or smoked meat0.9367 96.7 0.2-2.5
                    Other meat preparations0.4189 98.9 0.7-3.8
   01.1.3 Fish0.4088 98.9 -3.4-1.5
                   Fresh or chilled fish 0.1586 101.3 -5.1-0.4
                   Frozen fish0.0624 79.4 -7.5-5.5
                   Fresh or chilled seafood 0.0475 96.0 0.6-1.7
                   Dried, smoked or salted fish & seafood0.0464 99.6 -2.20.0
                   Other preserved or processed fish & seafood-based preparations0.0939 110.0 -0.3-1.1
   01.1.4 Milk, cheese & eggs1.4935 98.3 -0.2-1.6
                   Fresh whole milk0.4357 98.6 0.1-1.4
                   Fresh low fat milk0.1629 101.6 0.0-1.5
                   Yoghurt0.2598 97.1 -0.9-0.6
                   Cheese & curd 0.3431 95.3 -0.8-3.8
                   Other milk products0.1359 98.2 2.1-0.7
                   Eggs0.1560 103.1 -0.50.7
   01.1.5 Oils & fats0.2980 101.5 -1.0-1.7
                   Butter0.1336 102.6 -1.1-0.7
                   Margarine & other vegetable fats0.0952 100.2 -2.1-3.2
                   Olive oil0.0268 99.2 1.4-1.6
                   Other edible oils0.0424 102.1 0.0-2.2
   01.1.6 Fruit0.6718 92.1 -1.4-5.1
                   Fresh or chilled fruit0.5607 90.3 -1.3-5.7
                   Dried fruit & nuts0.0943 100.0 -1.4-1.2
                   Preserved fruit & fruit-based products0.0168 113.1 0.1-1.1
   01.1.7 Vegetables1.4681 99.0 -0.6-3.7
                   Fresh or chilled vegetables other than potatoes & other tubers0.6290 99.6 1.7-1.5
                   Frozen vegetables other than potatoes & other tubers0.0378 92.4 -0.4-0.9
                   Dried vegetables, other preserved or processed vegetables0.2663 97.2 -0.1-1.9
                   Potatoes0.3232 92.3 -2.5-8.6
                   Crisps0.2117 106.5 -4.7-5.4
   01.1.8 Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate & confectionery1.0584 94.7 -3.3-3.9
                   Sugar0.0972 97.3 -0.4-3.0
                   Jams, marmalades & honey0.1179 100.3 5.20.2
                   Chocolate0.4519 96.5 -8.7-5.4
                   Confectionery products0.1897 93.4 -0.5-4.3
                   Edible ices & ice cream0.1937 87.0 1.0-2.8
                   Artifical sugar substitutes0.0080 100.1 3.8-1.1
   01.1.9 Food products n.e.c. 0.7562 98.4 0.7-0.9
                   Sauces & condiments0.2033 99.1 0.0-1.6
                   Salt, spices & culinary herbs0.0359 97.6 0.10.1
                   Baby food0.0895 107.9 -0.23.2
                   Ready-made meals0.2242 90.8 1.9-2.7
                   Other food products n.e.c.0.2032 102.4 0.9-0.3
01.2 Non-alcoholic beverages1.0239 98.3 0.8-3.6
   01.2.1 Coffee, tea & cocoa0.1946 97.2 -0.1-2.6
                   Coffee0.0815 96.2 1.9-1.8
                   Tea0.1030 97.7 -1.3-2.9
                   Cocoa & powdered chocolate0.0102 99.3 -2.6-5.2
   01.2.2 Mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit & vegetable juices0.8293 98.6 0.9-3.9
                   Mineral or spring waters0.1180 100.2 0.1-1.9
                   Soft drinks0.4930 96.1 -0.4-5.8
                   Fruit & vegetable juices0.2183 103.6 4.6-0.7
       
Total 11.6682 97.1 -0.7-2.9
       
Table 5 COICOP Division 02 Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
02.1 Alcoholic Beverages2.8548 113.0 -1.5-2.6
   02.1.1 Spirits0.3821 122.3 0.0-0.6
   02.1.2 Wine1.4322 117.3 -2.8-1.7
   02.1.3 Beer1.0404 104.0 -0.2-4.2
02.2 Tobacco2.4448 114.1 0.05.6
                   Cigarettes2.3243 113.7 0.05.5
                   Other tobacco products0.1205 121.4 0.06.8
       
Total5.2996 113.6 -0.81.2
       
Table 6 COICOP Division 03 Clothing and Footwear - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
03.1 Clothing3.6133 89.3 6.1-2.9
   03.1.2 Garments3.3876 88.7 6.5-3.3
   03.1.3 Other articles of clothing & clothing accessories0.1526 97.7 2.52.8
   03.1.4 Cleaning, repair & hire of clothing0.0731 101.8 0.10.4
                   Dry cleaning & laundry0.0567 101.7 0.10.3
                   Dress hire & repair of clothing0.0164 102.0 0.00.4
03.2 Footwear0.7575 85.8 6.1-2.9
   03.2.1 Shoes & other footwear0.7488 85.6 6.1-3.1
   03.2.2 Repair & hire of footwear0.0088 102.0 0.11.1
       
Total4.3708 88.6 6.1-3.0
       
Table 7 COICOP Division 04 Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
04.1/04.2 Actual rentals for housing & mortgage interest9.9313 93.6 0.40.3
   04.1.1 Actual rentals paid by tenants (Rents)5.7382 121.5 0.77.5
                   Private Rents4.9923 124.1 0.98.5
                   Local Authority Rents0.7458 105.0 0.00.7
   04.2.1 Mortgage Interest 4.1931 69.8 -0.1-8.3
04.3 Maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.6851 99.9 0.00.5
   04.3.1 Materials for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.2665 99.9 0.2-1.0
   04.3.2 Services for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling0.4186 99.9 0.01.5
04.4 Water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling 0.5504 179.1 -0.174.1
04.5 Electricity, gas & other fuels4.8215 104.5 1.3-3.8
   04.5.1 Electricity2.4146 113.9 0.01.5
   04.5.2 Gas0.7386 112.4 0.00.9
                   Natural gas0.7014 113.0 0.01.1
                   Bottled gas0.0372 102.7 0.0-0.1
   04.5.3 Liquid fuels (Home Heating Oil)1.0342 77.8 6.7-21.7
   04.5.4 Solid fuels0.6341 113.8 0.05.6
       
Total15.9882 100.1 0.61.6
       
Table 8 COICOP Division 05 Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
05.1 Furniture & furnishings, carpets & other floor coverings0.9841 79.4 2.3-6.4
   05.1.1 Furniture & furnishings0.9804 79.0 2.5-6.3
   05.1.2 Carpets & other floor coverings0.0036 98.4 1.70.1
05.2 Household textiles0.3921 82.3 4.7-5.7
05.3 Household appliances0.4249 94.3 1.7-2.3
   05.3.1 Major household appliances whether electric or not0.3591 94.2 1.9-2.1
   05.3.2 Small electric household appliances0.0425 90.7 0.7-5.0
   05.3.3 Repair of household appliances0.0233 101.4 0.00.1
05.4 Glassware, tableware & household utensils0.4584 89.5 2.8-5.7
05.5 Tools & equipment for house & garden0.1945 92.4 1.2-4.0
   05.5.1 Major tools & equipment0.1103 85.9 2.4-5.3
   05.5.2 Small tools & miscellaneous accessories0.0842 97.2 -0.5-2.2
05.6 Goods & services for routine household maintenance1.9942 96.1 -0.10.0
   05.6.1 Non-durable household goods1.1260 95.5 0.0-1.1
   05.6.2 Domestic services & household services0.8682 95.8 0.01.6
       
Total4.4483 90.0 1.5-2.7
       
Table 9 COICOP Division 06 Health - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
06.1 Medical products, appliances & equipment1.0512 100.2 0.1-0.5
   06.1.1 Pharmaceutical products0.8563 99.7 0.2-0.7
                   Prescribed drugs0.2302 96.8 -1.0-2.6
                   Other medicines0.6262 100.6 0.6-0.1
   06.1.2 Other medical products0.0248 107.1 -1.8-0.5
   06.1.3 Therapeutic appliances & equipment0.1701 100.2 0.00.9
06.2 Out-patient services1.6597 100.6 0.10.2
   06.2.1/3 Medical & paramedical services1.1131 100.4 0.10.5
                   Doctors' fees0.9229 100.4 0.10.4
                   Other medical & paramedical services0.1903 100.8 0.51.3
   06.2.2 Dental services0.5466 101.0 0.0-0.2
06.3 Hospital services0.2311 101.0 0.00.0
       
Total2.9421 101.2 0.10.0
       
Table 10 COICOP Division 07 Transport - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
07.1 Purchase of vehicles3.1428 92.0 0.1-2.5
   07.1.1 Motor cars3.0904 92.0 0.1-2.5
   07.1.2 Motor cycles0.0100 104.7 0.51.7
   07.1.3 Bicycles0.0424 90.6 0.3-3.6
07.2 Operation of personal transport equipment8.1177 94.2 -0.2-9.9
   07.2.1 Spare parts & accessories for personal transport equipment0.3982 99.5 0.4-1.9
   07.2.2 Fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment4.9864 86.1 -0.3-15.4
                   Petrol3.4067 87.4 -0.5-15.0
                   Diesel1.5589 83.2 -0.1-16.3
                   Motor oil0.0208 104.2 0.31.3
   07.2.3 Maintenance & repair of personal transport equipment0.7295 98.6 0.0-0.3
   07.2.4 Other services in respect of personal transport equipment2.0036 116.7 0.0-0.1
                   Motor tax1.4822 121.8 0.00.0
                   Other vehicle costs0.5215 102.6 -0.3-0.4
07.3 Transport services2.3468 108.9 4.1-2.4
   07.3.1 Passenger transport by railway0.2907 117.3 0.04.7
   07.3.2 Passenger transport by road1.1829 113.0 0.01.6
                   Bus fares0.7376 121.4 0.02.7
                   Taxi fares0.4453 100.0 0.00.0
   07.3.3 Passenger transport by air0.7728 98.0 13.4-11.2
   07.3.4 Passenger transport by sea & inland waterway0.0509 113.4 1.42.9
   07.3.5 Combined passenger transport0.0320 123.5 0.01.6
   07.3.6 Other purchased transport services0.0175 97.8 0.02.0
       
Total13.6074 96.0 0.6-7.0
       
Table 11 COICOP Division 08 Communications - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
08.1 Postal services0.1430 123.0 0.012.7
08.2/3.0 Telephone & telefax equipment and telephone & telefax services2.8871 91.6 0.00.0
       
Total3.0301 92.6 0.00.4
       
Table 12 COICOP Division 09 Recreation and Culture - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
09.1 Audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment0.9146 73.7 0.3-8.2
   09.1.1 Equipment for the reception, recording & reproduction of sound & pictures 0.2561 72.8 0.8-8.7
   09.1.2 Photographic & cinematographic equipment & optical instruments0.0620 64.1 -0.2-12.0
   09.1.3 Information processing equipment0.1551 60.9 0.0-14.1
   09.1.4 Recording media0.4153 85.6 0.2-5.0
   09.1.5 Repair of audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment0.0261 98.2 0.90.7
09.2 Other major durables for recreation & culture0.0101 92.3 0.0-1.4
09.3 Other recreational items & equipment, gardens & pets1.1518 90.6 0.0-2.7
   09.3.1 Games, toys & hobbies0.7079 86.1 -0.2-1.7
   09.3.2 Equipment for sport, camping & open-air recreation0.0736 85.1 0.0-9.0
   09.3.3 Gardens, plants & flowers0.1293 79.1 0.8-7.5
   09.3.4/5 Pets & related products including veterinary & other services for pets0.2411 109.4 0.4-0.7
09.4 Recreational & cultural services2.7473 105.7 0.62.4
   09.4.1 Recreational & sporting services0.7904 96.4 1.92.0
                   Sports admittance0.0989 99.2 2.02.8
                   Sports participation0.1876 95.4 1.81.8
                   Club & society subscriptions0.5039 96.2 1.91.9
   09.4.2 Cultural services1.9570 109.5 -0.12.5
                   Cinema0.1755 103.0 -0.9-0.3
                   Nightclubs0.1175 96.7 0.40.0
                   Cultural admittance0.3657 112.8 0.13.8
                   Television services1.2203 111.2 0.02.9
                   Other entertainment0.0781 103.5 0.31.6
09.5 Newspapers, books & stationery1.4954 104.5 0.22.2
   09.5.1 Books0.3935 105.8 0.36.7
   09.5.2 Newspapers & periodicals0.9479 104.6 0.21.0
   09.5.3/4 Miscellaneous printed matter and stationery & drawing materials0.1540 98.4 -0.2-1.3
09.6 Package holidays1.1090 105.4 0.1-0.5
       
Total7.4284 98.5 0.3-0.3
       
Table 13 COICOP Division 10 Education - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
10.1 Pre-primary & primary education0.1440 101.4 0.00.6
10.2 Secondary education0.3791 107.4 0.02.3
10.4 Tertiary education1.6848 120.9 0.06.8
10.5 Education not definable by level0.3546 102.2 0.00.9
       
Total2.5625 114.9 0.04.9
       
Table 14 COICOP Division 11 Restaurants and Hotels - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
11.1 Catering services14.9537 105.8 0.01.1
   11.1.1 Restaurants, cafes & the like13.4696 106.1 0.01.0
                  Licenced premises7.6160 108.5 0.00.4
                      Spirits1.8514 108.9 0.00.5
                      Wine1.2092 107.8 0.00.5
                      Beer4.2065 108.9 0.00.3
                      Soft drinks & mineral water0.3489 104.4 0.00.4
                  Restaurants, cafes, fast food & take-away food5.8537 103.0 0.01.8
   11.1.2 Canteens1.4841 102.0 0.01.4
11.2 Accommodation services2.0909 108.6 7.07.8
       
Total17.0446 106.1 0.91.8
       
Table 15 COICOP Division 12 Miscellaneous Goods and Services - February 2015
DescriptionWeights Index Percentage changes
2015 Dec. 2011=100 1 month12 months
       
12.1 Personal care3.2187 94.5 0.0-1.2
   12.1.1 Hairdressing salons & personal grooming establishments0.8963 99.3 -1.41.6
                     Hairdressing0.6789 100.0 -1.82.7
                     Health & beauty treatments0.2028 96.7 0.0-1.7
                     Other personal grooming0.0146 103.6 0.02.5
   12.1.2 Electric appliances for personal care0.1156 94.0 2.6-0.5
   12.1.3 Other appliances, articles & products for personal care2.2068 92.6 0.4-2.0
                     Hygiene products0.4645 93.7 -2.5-2.4
                     Hair products0.2636 96.9 6.6-0.3
                     Cosmetics & skincare products0.9496 89.9 0.0-2.3
                     Toilet accessories0.5292 94.1 0.9-2.2
12.3 Personal effects n.e.c.0.6422 75.6 2.2-7.4
   12.3.1 Jewellery, clocks & watches0.2748 91.2 1.1-1.4
   12.3.2 Other personal effects0.3675 64.1 3.1-11.3
12.4 Social protection0.7816 102.8 0.02.0
                     Childcare0.6352 103.0 0.02.4
                     Other social protection0.1464 102.3 0.01.0
12.5 Insurance5.2300 121.1 0.77.4
   12.5.2 Insurance connected with the dwelling0.5291 93.8 0.03.3
   12.5.3 Insurance connected with health3.4557 133.9 0.35.1
   12.5.4 Insurance connected with transport1.2452 112.1 2.515.6
                  Motor insurance1.2316 112.2 2.515.7
                     Motor cycle insurance0.0105 102.7 0.00.0
                     Motor car insurance1.2212 112.2 2.515.8
                  Travel insurance0.0135 101.6 0.04.4
12.6 Financial services n.e.c.0.3901 107.4 0.40.9
12.7 Other services n.e.c.1.3473 148.3 0.0-2.9
       
Total11.6099 110.1 0.52.3
       
Table 16 Consumer Price Index Goods and Services by COICOP Division - February 2015
COICOP DivisionWeights 2015 Index       Percentage changes
    Dec. 2011=100    
          
OverallGoodsServices GoodsServices GoodsServicesOverall
       12 months12 months12 months
            
01Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages11.66811.668- 97.1- -2.9--2.9
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco5.3005.300- 113.6- 1.2-1.2
03Clothing and Footwear4.3714.2890.082 88.4101.8 -3.00.4-3.0
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels 15.9881.97214.016 90.6101.4 -11.33.51.6
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance4.4483.5550.893 87.996.3 -3.91.6-2.7
06Health2.9421.0511.891 100.2101.2 -0.50.20.0
07Transport13.6078.5275.080 89.0110.3 -10.3-1.2-7.0
08Communications3.0300.1152.916 66.293.8 -9.20.90.4
09Recreation and Culture7.4283.4853.943 91.5105.2 -2.31.5-0.3
10Education2.562-2.562 -114.9 -4.94.9
11Restaurants and Hotels17.045-17.045 -106.1 -1.81.8
12Miscellaneous Goods & Services11.6102.9658.645 88.2118.3 -3.24.62.3
            
ALL ITEMS100.00042.92757.073 94.4106.2 -4.42.4-0.5
            
Table 17 Contributions to the change in the All Items CPI - February 2015
COICOP DivisionPercentage changes
1 month 3 months 12 months
       
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages-0.08 -0.11 -0.34
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco-0.04 0.00 0.06
03Clothing and Footwear0.24 -0.19 -0.13
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels0.10 0.31 0.26
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance0.06 -0.05 -0.13
06Health0.00 -0.01 0.00
07Transport0.08 -0.61 -0.99
08Communications0.00 0.01 0.02
09Recreation and Culture0.02 0.01 -0.02
10Education0.00 0.00 0.14
11Restaurants and Hotels0.14 0.06 0.30
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services0.06 -0.04 0.29
 All Items % change0.6 -0.6 -0.5 
 Goods0.26 -1.25 -1.90
 Services0.32 0.63 1.36
 Energy Products0.04 -0.81 -1.02
 Tobacco0.00 0.00 0.15
 Mortgage Interest-0.01 -0.08 -0.37
       
Notes: For the percentage contributions, the sum of the 2-digit COICOP divisions may not equal the All Items %
           change due to rounding differences.
Table 18 EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices - Ireland
Period HICP Percentage changes
 Year 2005=100 1 month 12 months
       
2008Year108.9   3.1
2009Year107.1   -1.7
2010Year105.4   -1.6
2011Year106.6   1.1
2012Year108.7   2.0
2013Year109.2   0.5
2014Year109.6   0.4
       
2012January106.6 -0.4 1.3
 February107.8 1.1 1.6
 March108.9 1.0 2.2
 April108.9 0.0 1.9
 May108.9 0.0 1.9
 June108.7 -0.2 1.9
 July108.6 -0.1 2.0
 August109.5 0.8 2.6
 September109.4 -0.1 2.4
 October109.3 -0.1 2.1
 November108.8 -0.5 1.6
 December108.8 0.0 1.7
       
2013January108.2 -0.6 1.5
 February109.1 0.8 1.2
 March109.5 0.4 0.6
 April109.4 -0.1 0.5
 May109.4 0.0 0.5
 June109.5 0.1 0.7
 July109.4 -0.1 0.7
 August109.5 0.1 0.0
 September109.4 -0.1 0.0
 October109.2 -0.2 -0.1
 November109.1 -0.1 0.3
 December109.2 0.1 0.4
       
2014January108.5 -0.6 0.3
 February109.2 0.6 0.1
 March109.8 0.5 0.3
 April109.8 0.0 0.4
 May109.8 0.0 0.4
 June110.0 0.2 0.5
 July109.9 -0.1 0.5
 August110.2 0.3 0.6
 September109.9 -0.3 0.5
 October109.6 -0.3 0.4
 November109.3 -0.3 0.2
 December108.9 -0.4 -0.3
       
2015January108.1 -0.7 -0.4
 February108.8 0.6 -0.4
       
Table 19 EU Harmonised Consumer Price COICOP Division Indices - February 2015 Ireland
COICOP DivisionHICP Percentage changes Percentage contributions
Year 2005=100 1 month 12 months 1 month 12 months
           
01Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages100.7 -0.7 -2.9 -0.09 -0.36
02Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco131.5 -0.8 1.2 -0.05 0.06
03Clothing and Footwear64.4 6.1 -2.9 0.26 -0.14
04Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels137.7 0.9 5.6 0.11 0.72
05Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance77.8 1.4 -2.8 0.07 -0.14
06Health123.4 0.0 -0.1 0.00 0.00
07Transport103.8 0.7 -7.7 0.09 -1.07
08Communications97.6 0.0 0.4 0.00 0.02
09Recreation and Culture99.2 0.2 -0.3 0.02 -0.03
10Education163.9 0.0 4.9 0.00 0.15
11Restaurants and Hotels113.4 0.8 1.9 0.15 0.32
12Miscellaneous Goods and Services118.9 0.4 0.6 0.03 0.04
All Items HICP108.8 0.6 -0.4 0.6 -0.4 
 Goods94.2 0.6 -4.3 0.28 -2.06
 Services124.8 0.6 3.1 0.32 1.64
 HICP excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food106.9 0.8 1.0 0.62 0.86
           
Notes: For the percentage contributions, the sum of the 2-digit COICOP divisions may not equal the All Items HICP due to rounding differences.
           HICP excluding Energy and Unprocessed Food excludes fuels & lubricants for personal transport equipment, electricity, gas & other fuels, meat,
           vegetables, fruit and fish.

Background Notes

Consumer Price Index

Definition

The Consumer Price Index is designed to measure the change in the average level of prices (inclusive of all indirect taxes) paid for consumer goods and services by all private and institutional households in the country and by foreign tourists holidaying in Ireland.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Approximately 53,000 prices are collected for a representative basket consisting of 634 item headings in a fixed panel of retail and service outlets throughout the country during the week containing the second Tuesday of each month up to and including the third Tuesday of each month.  The dates to which the February index relates are Monday 9th to Tuesday, 17th February 2015.

Scope of the Index

  1. Population Coverage: All private and institutional households in the State and the expenditure of foreign tourists within Ireland.  It does not include the expenditure of other non private households.    Expenditure which occurs abroad by Irish residents is also excluded.  In statistical terms coverage is referred to as the domestic concept.
  2. Geographic Coverage: Covers the whole of the Republic of Ireland.  Pricing takes place in 84 locations (cities and towns) throughout the country.  These sampling points are located in Dublin city and county, the four regional cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, approx. 80% of towns with a population of 10,000 and over, approx. 70% of towns between 5,000 and 9,999 and a smaller proportion below this threshold.  The results are weighted to represent the distribution of the population and its related consumer expenditure.
  3. Item Coverage: All goods and services bought by the reference population for the purposes of consumption are included in the index.  Expenditure on capital assets and investments, gambling and certain other activities are however excluded.  There are 634 item headings and 12 division headings based on the COICOP classification.  With each rebase the coverage of goods and services is reviewed to ensure that it continues to be representative of consumer tastes and purchasing practices.

Price Collection   

Personal visits are made to retail outlets by some 80 price collectors on a monthly basis.  Approximately 50,000 price quotations are gathered in this way.  In addition, 128 special inquiries covering items such as utility charges and services are conducted by post, telephone and e-mail in conjunction with internet price collection.  Most prices are collected monthly, some quarterly and others annually.  The CSO supplies general specifications to price collectors and price collectors are free initially to select a brand and in certain cases, size.  This allows for a wide variety of different brands of the same item to be priced throughout the country.  Once selected, the same item/brand is priced on a monthly basis in order to ensure matched price quotations.  If an item disappears, substitution can occur but that price is excluded until matched prices are available for the same comparable item for two consecutive months.  The CSO wishes to put on record its appreciation of the co-operation and assistance it receives from retail outlets and other business concerns.

Classification

The classification used in the CPI is based on a version of the Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000) (COICOP).  This replaced the former national classification which was used up to December 2001.  The COICOP classification breaks consumer expenditure into twelve different divisions covering a comprehensive range of consumer goods and services.

Annual Update of CPI Weights

For 2015, the CPI COICOP class (4-digit) level weights were updated with a reference period of December 2014.  The weights were based primarily on the 2013 National Accounts Household Final Monetary Consumption Expenditure (HFMCE) data.  The expenditure data were price updated at CPI COICOP class level to December 2014 using the price movement of the corresponding CPI COICOP class indices.

CPI Item Weights

The CPI measures in index form the monthly changes  in the cost of purchasing  a fixed representative ‘basket’ of consumer goods and services (i.e. Laspeyres formula).  Identical items are priced in the same outlet on each occasion so that changes in the cost of this constant basket reflect only pure price changes. The current basket of goods and services consists of 634 representative items which were predominantly selected as part of the December 2011 rebase. The exception was two new items, water supply and sewage collection, which were introduced in January 2015.  The representative share of each item in the basket is proportional to the average amount purchased by all households in the State and foreign tourists in Ireland based primarily on the 2009/2010 Household Budget Survey (HBS) and estimates of expenditure by foreign tourists across a range of consumer goods and services.  When the new COICOP class (4-digit) level weights were introduced with the January 2013 index, the CPI item weights were also updated.  The CPI item weights were calculated on a pro rata basis using proportions from the December 2011 rebase.  A similar approach was taken when updating the 2015 item weights.

Methodological Details

A full methodological description of the new series is available in the Consumer Price Index Introduction of Updated Series (Base: December 2011 = 100) which is published on the CSO website at:

http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/surveysandmethodologies/documents/pdfdocs/CPI_Intro_of_Updated_Series_Base_Dec2011.pdf

Rebase

The index has been rebased with effect from December 2011, the eleventh series since the foundation of the State.

The rebase of the current CPI resulted in a number of methodological changes:

  • Updating the expenditure weights;
  • A revision of the sample of goods and services;
  • An update of the sample of areas priced;
  • Calculation of the mortgage interest component.

Goods and Services

Goods

Goods are defined as non service items usually purchased and transportable from a retail outlet.

Services

Services include the following: rents, mortgage interest, services for the maintenance & repair of the dwelling, water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling, electricity, gas, repair of household appliances, tool hire, domestic services & household services, out-patient services, hospital services, maintenance/repair and other services in respect of personal transport equipment, transport services, postal services, telephone & telefax services, repair of audio-visual, photographic & information processing equipment, veterinary & other services for pets, recreational & cultural services, package holidays, education, catering services, accommodation services, hairdressing salons & personal grooming establishments, social protection, insurance, financial services n.e.c. and other services n.e.c.

Utilities and Local Charges

Includes electricity, natural gas, refuse collection, sewage collection, water supply and telephone services – landline.

Mortgage Interest and the Local Property Tax in the CPI

Mortgage interest was first included in the CPI at the November 1975 rebase. The use of mortgage interest in the CPI reflects a user-cost approach to measuring owner-occupied housing.  This approach has involved measuring changes in average mortgage interest costs over time.  The household charge was introduced to the CPI in April 2012 and subsequently became the local property tax in July 2013. The local property tax is included in the basket under the item 'miscellaneous goods and services', which is part of COICOP 12.7.0.  The inclusion of the local property tax is consistent with the user-cost approach utilised for owner-occupied housing.  In the interest of transparency, an index excluding both mortgage interest and the local property tax is provided in Table 2 of the release to allow for their impact in the CPI to be seen.

Mortgage interest and the local property tax are excluded from the HICP.   

Introduction of water supply and sewage collection charges

Water supply and sewage collection charges were introduced in Ireland on 1 January 2015.  The coverage of the CPI/HICP is defined as those goods and services purchased by households for the purposes of consumption.  This definition required the incorporation of the new charges into the CPI/HICP.  Water supply and sewage collection charges are a component of group 04.4 Water supply & miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling of the COICOP consumption classification. 

For a full discussion on the rationale and methodology for introducing water supply and sewage collecion charges into the CPI/HICP, see the following CPI Technical Paper:

http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/surveysandmethodologies/surveys/prices/documents/Introductionwatersupplyandsewagecollection.pdf

Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices

Introduction

The European Union-Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (EU-HICP) is calculated in each Member State of the EU.  The purpose of this index is to allow the comparison of consumer price trends in the different Member States.

Comparison with CPI

The methodology now adopted for the construction of the national CPI is identical to that recommended for the HICP.  Thus the two indices only differ in respect of the coverage of certain goods and services and the treatment of insurance.  The current EU reference base period (Year 2005=100) is however retained for ease of comparison with other EU countries.

Excluded  Items

The following items, constituting approximately 8.1% of the Irish CPI expenditure weighting, are excluded from the HICP:

  • mortgage interest
  • building materials
  • motor car tax
  • motor cycle tax
  • motor car insurance (non-service)
  • contents insurance (non-service)
  • dwelling insurance
  • union subscriptions
  • local property tax (part of the item 'miscellaneous goods & services')

Annual Update of HICP Weights

For 2015, the CPI COICOP class (4-digit) level weights were updated with a reference period of December 2014.  The weights were based primarily on the 2013 HFMCE data.  The expenditure data were price updated at HICP COICOP class level to December 2014 using the price movement of the corresponding HICP COICOP class indices.

Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices (MUICP)

Euro area inflation is measured by the MUICP (‘Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices’ as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995) which is the official euro area aggregate.  The MUICP is calculated as a weighted average of HICPs of the 18 countries in the euro area.  Country weights are computed every year reflecting the country’s share of the household final monetary consumption expenditure in the euro area total.

Classification System

The coverage of the indices is based on the international classification system, Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose Adapted to the Needs of Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (2000) (COICOP).

COICOP

Prior to the introduction of the December 2001 based series in January 2002 the CPI used a national classification while the EU Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) used COICOP.  To ensure greater comparability CPI and the HICP have both used the COICOP since December 2001.

The COICOP classification is based on 12 divisions:

01    Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages

Includes food and non alcoholic beverages purchased in supermarkets, small shops, speciality shops and petrol station forecourt outlets.  It excludes meals out which are covered under 11 Restaurants and Hotels.

02    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

Includes alcoholic beverages purchased in off licences and supermarkets but excludes alcohol consumed on or within licensed premises which is classified under 11 Restaurants and Hotels.  It also includes tobacco products.

03    Clothing and Footwear

Mens, ladies and childrens clothing and footwear, sports and leisurewear and services such as laundry and dry cleaning, shoe repair, dress hire and alteration.

04    Housing,  Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels

Covers rents, mortgage interest repayments, refuse collection, goods and services for maintaining, decorating and repairing dwellings and domestic energy products such as electricity, gas, home heating oil and solid fuels.  Water supply and sewage collection were added to this division under the item 'water supply and miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling' in January 2015.

05    Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance

Covers household items such as furniture, carpets and other floor coverings, household textiles and soft furnishings, household appliances and other household items such as utensils, tools, garden equipment and non-durable items for cleaning, washing and other day to day household activity.  Also included are services such as electrical repair, cleaning and gardening.

06    Health

Includes medical products, appliances and equipment, hospital charges and out patient services supplied by doctors, dentists, opticians, physiotherapists and practitioners of alternative and complimentary medicine.

07    Transport

Includes the purchase of new and second hand vehicles, spare parts, car maintenance, fuels and lubricants, public transport and services such as parking, motor association subscriptions, car wash, toll charges, driving lessons, driving test, driving licence and car hire.

08    Communications

Postal and telecommunications services.

09    Recreation and Culture

Includes items such as audio visual and photographic equipment, computers, music and DVDs, sports and recreation goods, games and toys, items connected with gardening and pets, recreational, sporting and cultural activities and events, newspapers and other reading material, package holidays and other items connected with recreation and culture.

10    Education

Includes pre-primary and primary, secondary, third level fees and other education and training such as night courses and examination fees.

11    Restaurants and Hotels

Includes meals in restaurants and hotels, fast food and takeaways, cafes and canteens; alcohol consumed on or within a licensed premises and accommodation services supplied by hotels, guesthouses and hostels.

12    Miscellaneous Goods and Services

Covers a wide range of items including hairdressing and other grooming; goods for hygiene, hair and body care; personal goods such as jewellery, handbags and wallets; childcare and other social protection services; insurance, financial services and other services including funerals, weddings, legal and professional services.  The household charge was added to this division, in the CPI, under the item 'miscellaneous goods and services' in April 2012.  The household charge subsequently became the local property tax in July 2013. The local property tax is not included in the HICP.

Calculating percentage changes in the index

The movement of the CPI, HICP and their subindices are expressed as percentage changes, rather than changes in index points, because index point changes are affected by the level of the index in relation to its base period, whereas percentage changes are not.  The example below illustrates the computation of index point and percentage changes.

 

Index point change  
Current index 106.7
Less previous index 103.7
Equals index point change 3.0
   
Percentage change  
Index point change 3.0
Divided by the previous index 103.7
Equals 0.0289
Result multiplied by 100 0.0289 x 100
Equals percentage change 2.9

 

Estimating Contributions

A contribution represents the amount of the overall percentage change in the All Items CPI which is accounted for by any given category.  It can be estimated for any category in the CPI (e.g. the twelve COICOP 2-digit divisions) and for any period of time.

Data Required:

  1. Base weight for the category for which you wish to estimate the contribution.
  2. Current index for the category in question (same base period).
  3. Previous index for the category in question (same base period).
  4. All Items CPI for the previous period in question (i.e. the start period).

Example:

To estimate the contribution of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (COICOP 01) to the overall annual percentage change in the CPI up to July 2006 you would need the following data

 

1 Base weight for COICOP 01 (base:December 2001=100) 14.092%
2 Current Index (i.e. July 2006) for COICOP 01 103.7
3 Previous Index (i.e. July 2005) for COICOP 01 102.1
4 All Items CPI for the previous period (i.e. July 2005) 111.3

                        

Steps in the calculation

Step 1 Multiply the base weight by the current index 14.092 x 103.7
  Equals (1) 1461.3404
Step 2 Multiply the base weight by the previous index 14.092 x 102.1
  Equals (2)  1438.7932
Step 3 Subtract figure (2) from figure (1) 1461.3404 - 1438.7932
  Equals (3) 22.5472
Step 4 Divide figure (3) by the All Items CPI for the previous period 22.5472 / 111.3
  Equals Contribution 0.20

                                                                                                                                              

Therefore your estimated contribution of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages to the percentage change in the CPI for the year to July 2006 is 0.20.  The actual published figure was 0.19.  The difference is due to the fact that actual published contributions are calculated using data to more decimal places.

It is more complicated to estimate contributions where more than one base period is involved, as the base weights will have changed (e.g. to estimate a contribution for the period January 2000 to January 2005 involves the November 1996=100 base and the December 2001=100 base).  For assistance in this regard please contact the CPI section.

Data Dissemination on www.cso.ie

The CSO website (www.cso.ie) now holds a range of CPI data.  Within the Consumer Prices section of the website (accessed via the ‘Prices’ link on the homepage), a range of principle statistics are held including overall annual percentage changes from 1977 to date, All Items CPI annual figures from 1996 to date and COICOP division monthly and annual figures from 2002 to date.

Further data can be accessed at www.cso.ie by clicking on ‘Databases’ and ‘Statbank CSO Main Data Dissemination Service’.  The subject area is ‘Economy’, ‘Prices’, ‘Consumer Prices’ and ‘Consumer Prices - Annual Series’ or ‘Consumer Prices - Monthly Series’.  The website is updated each month at 11am on the CPI publication day.

The Database Direct for the CPI contains monthly and annual index numbers and percentage changes for the following categories and time periods:

 

Category  Period
All Items CPI  1975 to date
12 COICOP Divisions  1975 to date

Special CPI Subindices (CPI excluding Tobacco, Energy Products, etc)

1982 to date
Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) 1997 to date

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

In addition, the following data can also be accessed within Database Direct.

  • Monthly index numbers and annual percentage changes for the Constant Tax Price Index from January 1997 to December 2006.
  • National average prices for selected CPI goods and services from January 1997 to date.
  • All Items CPI numbers for various base periods from 1922 to date.
  • Detailed sub-indices are available from 2003 to date. 

Any queries relating to the usage of the web dissemination database for CPI data should be directed to cpi@cso.ie

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