Austin Currie
Ceist:8 Mr. Currie asked the Taoiseach the cost of 1,000 litres of home heating oil in each of the past five years on 1 December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27088/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Heating Oil Costs.
Information on home heating oil is collected monthly from a sample of suppliers for use in the compilation of the consumer price index. However, for reasons of statistical confidentiality, an average national price is not published.
The following table sets out the estimated trend in prices over the past five years, that is, from December 1994 up to and including October 1999.
Trend in the price of home heating oil
Dec. '94 to Oct. '99
|
Year |
Index |
AnnualPercentageChange |
|
|
Dec 94=100 |
December 1994 |
100.0 |
– |
|
December 1995 |
100.1 |
+0.1% |
|
|
December 1996 |
124.1 |
+23.9% |
|
|
December 1997 |
110.5 |
10.9% |
|
|
December 1998 |
90.3 |
18.3% |
|
|
October 1999* |
117.7 |
+30.4% |
*Latest available data
I realise I cannot comment in detail on the information provided, but will the Minister of State agree that the increase in the past year is in the region of 42.7%, in other words, £80 of an increase since this time last year. In those circumstances, will the Minister agree there should be a change in the fuel allowance payable to pensioners which has remained the same since 1986?
The Deputy's question is not in order.
I am aware of that. I thought my comment would be useful in the circumstances.
Comment is not in order either.