Dublin, JUNE 7, SPA -- Ireland's annual inflation rate dropped slightly to5 per cent in May from 5.1 per cent in April, DPA QUOTED the Central StatisticsOffice (CSO) in Dublin as saying Thursday. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels were up 22.6 percent in the twelve months to the end of May, alcoholic beverages andtobacco 5.4 per cent, restaurants and hotels 4.9 per cent, education4.8 per cent and health 2.8 per cent, the CSO said. Clothing and footwear declined by 3.1 per cent in the year, whilefurnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenancefell by 2 per cent, the CSO said. Housing, fuel and utility costs "increased with higher averagemortgage interest repayments and rents," while lamb, potatoes, bakeryproducts and beef accounted for most of the food increases.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/456807