Consumer prices down 0.6%

Consumer prices fell by 0.6% in the year to the end of month, according to new data from the CSO.

The latest consumer price index shows the biggest annual price reduction was in transport which was down 4.9%.

Clothing (-4.1%), as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks (-2.7%) also saw falls in price over the year.

However, the price of education was up 4.9% in the last 12 months.

The cost of housing, water, electricity and gas increased by 1.8% overall.

Business groups have used the figures to pour cold water on demands for pay rises.

The Small Firms Association said there can be no justification for an increase in the national minimum wage.

ISME called on employers to resist giving in to what it called "unreasonable and uneconomic wage demands".