By Charlie Weston

Copyright independent

It is estimated that food prices for a family of four have shot up by around €3,000 in the last four years.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures for September show that inflation rose to 2.7pc in the year September, up from 2pc the previous month.

One of the main reasons for this was a 4.7pc surge in food prices in the year to September.

This reflects rocketing price rises for meat and milk.

The cost of sirloin steak has now become unaffordable for many. It is now €22 per kilogram, a rise of €5 in the past year alone.

Overall inflation is now at its highest level since March last year, the CSO said.

The national price of a pint of Guinness is up 25c in the past year to more than €6, the statisticians said. A pint of larger in a put in now €6.50 on average across the State.

Health, home and motor insurance costs also continue to rise.

Grocery price rises are putting real pressure on households.

CSO statisticians said that over the past year there has been a rise in the prices of milk, bread, cheese, butter and spaghetti.

Alcohol prices are also up after breweries increases costs for publicans and off-licences.

The national average price for a large white sliced pan increased by 5c in the year to September , the CSO said.

The same-sized brown sliced pan increased by 3c in the year.

Spaghetti per 500g rose by 2c in the year, while the average price for 2.5kg of potatoes was down 42c.

The national average price of full fat milk per two litres was up 27c in the year.

Butter per pound rose by 68c to €4.81. This prices is an average of brands such as Kerrygold and supermarket own brands.

Roast beef (topside or rib) has risen in price per kilogram by €3.10 in the past year to €15.91.

Statisticians said the average price of Irish cheddar per kg increased by 69c, to €11.21 per kilogram.

The national average price of a take-home 50cl can of lager at €2.43 was up 1c from September 2024, while a take-home 50cl can of cider at €2.73 was up 6c.

In September 2025, the national average price of a pint of stout in licensed premises was €6.07, up 25c in the year.

A pint of lager was €6.50, up 26c compared with September 2024.

The latest figures come as the Budget disappointed middle-income earners as there was no income tax package announced.

This means someone on a €50,000 salary is expected to pay almost €500 extra in tax, USC and PRSI next year after the Government froze income tax bands and credits.

The Budget will also increase income poverty levels, particularly for older people, because of the failure to pay a cost-of-living package, according to the Oireachtas-based Parliamentary Budget Office.

Latest food price rises come at a time when Local Property Tax bills are going up, health insurance premiums are rising by up to €600 for families, and a string of energy companies are hiking prices, adding up to €250 to annual bills.

Petrol and diesel prices went up on Budget night due to carbon tax hikes, adding around €3 to the cost of a typical tank fill.