years, according to the latest Government figures.

Yesterday the monthly and annual rates of inflation were released charting price rises for a range of goods.

The figures show that in 1995 the rate of inflation averaged 2.5 percent -- the same as last year.

The figures for 1996 are also broken down into monthly rates as well as specific sectors of the economy.

Average inflation in December last year was 2.5 percent rise over the 2.4 percent increase in November.

The figure was a result of shifts in costs in different sectors, including fuel and power which saw a 2.8 percent increase in costs in December.

People paid more for both electricity and propane gas as the prices rose 2.4 percent and 5.8 percent respectively.

Rents rose an average of 0.3 percent in December and the cost of a food basket increased by 0.2 percent, due to higher fresh fruit and vegetable costs.

The cost of education, reading, health and personal care increased by just 0.2 percent in December and clothing, footwear, tobacco and liquor prices all stayed static.