The consumer price index rose by 0.1 per cent last month over the previous August, with substantially more expensive accommodation being offset by a sharp decline in the cost of clothing and footwear.

The 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at one per cent and the annual rate three per cent.

The National Statistics Office said the restaurants and hotels index went up by 5.4 per cent mainly because of costlier accommodation.

An increase in fish prices was the main reason for the food and non-alcoholic beverages index going up by 1.6 per cent, whereas more expensive child-minding services pushed the miscellaneous goods and services index up by 1.5 per cent.

Household textiles and non-durable household goods also went up in price, causing a 0.4 per cent in the furniture, household equipment and maintenance index.

It was also more expensive to fly last month than the month before, meaning the transport index rose by 0.4 per cent.

In addition, package holidays were also costlier, which resulted in the recreation and culture index moving up 0.3 per cent. The education index’s 0.2 per cent rise was caused by higher private tuition fees.

In contrast, cheaper clothes were the principal factor behind the 9.4 per cent drop in the clothing and footwear index.

Slightly cheaper gas prices caused the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index to drop by 0.2 per cent.

The alcohol and tobacco index went down by the same amount due to cheaper spirits.