Help on Income / Inflation Figures

Anyone good at this type of thing? Have my annual review coming up shortly, and I really REALLY need to get a pay rise this year. Basically, I started here 2.5 years ago, and I took a pay cut to come here. What I am now (26K) is only 1K more than what I was on when I left my last job. Last year, I got caught off the hop on a bad day for my review, and didn't really fight my corner. So what I need to know is ... What is the rate of inflation at the moment? What kind of arguments can I put to the boss? What would justify me asking for a big increase??!!! Thanks Dizzy!

have a look at www.irishjobs.ie theres a salary survey on it.