Ireland tops eurozone costs chart

THE GOVERNMENT has accounted for up to 40% of consumer price inflation, pushing Ireland to the top of the eurozone cost-of-living table.

And our inflation rate is twice the eurozone average, according to a report published yesterday by Forfás, the national policies advisory board.

Price rises in services provided by the State grew by 15% in 2002 compared to the national inflation rate of just 4.8%. Sharp increases in the cost of financial services, hospital treatment, water and refuse services, tobacco and third-level education have also caused the rate of inflation to remain the highest in Europe. In general, the price of consumer goods in Ireland is 12% above the eurozone average.