DUBLIN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Ireland edged up 0.4 percent in May year on year from a year ago, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Ireland on Thursday.

The prices in the sector of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels witnessed the sharpest year-on-year increases in May (up 5.5 percent), followed by restaurants and hotels (up 2.4 percent), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (up 1.9 percent), said the CSO in a press release.

The sector of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance recorded the sharpest year-on-year price decreases (down 4.0 percent), followed by miscellaneous goods and services (down 3.6 percent), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (down 2.3 percent), it said.

According to the CSO, the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose in May mainly due to higher rents and an increase in the prices of home heating oil and electricity.

The prices of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance decreased primarily due to the reduced cost of non-durable household goods, furniture and furnishings, household textiles and glassware, tableware and household utensils.