Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 12

Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the increase in the cost of living as from 1st September, 1939, to the latest date for which figures are available, showing this increase under the separate categories of (1) food, (2) fuel, (3) all other items, and (4) all items; and (b) the increase in wages between the same dates of (1) persons in receipt of more than £6 per week, and (2) wages of persons in receipt of less than £6 per week, dividing the latter into whatever categories are most suitable; and (c) the average retail price in Dublin per ton (1) for coal (other than industrial coal) imported into Éire in the six months' period April to September, 1939, and (2) for turf sold in the last six months of 1942.

The following is the best information available in my Department on the various heads of the Deputy's question:—(a) The percentage increases in the cost of living between mid-August, 1939, and mid-February, 1943, were as follows:—(1) food, 54 per cent.; (2) fuel and light, 84 per cent; (3) all other items, 59 per cent.; and (4) all items, 58 per cent. In this connection it should, however, be remembered that the cost-of-living index is prepared on the basis of the cost of quantities of various commodities estimated to have been consumed by a family of 5.6 persons during a period in June, 1922. Many of these commodities are not now purchasable in the quantities assumed and some may not be available at all. (b) The increase between 1st September, 1939, and 1st September, 1942, in the rate of wages in certain industries producing transportable goods is estimated at 9.4 per cent. Separate particulars are not available for persons in receipt of less than £6 per week or more than £6 per week. The percentage increase for each of 12 industrial groups will be published in the forthcoming issue of the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin. (c) The average retail price in Dublin (1) for coal as used by the wage-earning classes was 3/3 per cwt. both in mid-May, 1939, and in mid-August, 1939. (2) In accordance with Emergency Powers (Control of Prices) (No. 135) Order, 1942, the maximum retail price of turf on and from the 11th May, 1942, in the County Borough of Dublin was 3d. per dozen sods up to a maximum of 4 stone. All quantities in excess of 4 stone must be sold by weight at not greater than the fixed price of 64/- per ton, or 3/2½d. per cwt.

Top
Share