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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 1952

Vol. 130 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Index Numbers.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state the present index number for (1) the cost of living, (2) agricultural prices, and (3) agricultural wages, taking the index for 1913 as 100.

(1) By linking the cost-of-living index—base July, 1914=100—to the interim cost-of-living index (essential items)—base August, 1947=100—it is estimated that, to base July, 1914=100, the cost of living at mid-February, 1952, was 364. It is not possible to take the year 1913 as base since price data for that year is not available.

(2) A similar linkage between the two series of agricultural price index numbers (with bases 1911-13=100 and September, 1938-August 1939=100) gives a figure of 335 for the index number of agricultural prices to base 1913=100.

(3) In the case of agricultural wages, relating the present average minimum weekly rate of wages of permanent male agricultural labourers, 20 years of age and over, without free house or allowance of any kind, to the estimated average rate of money wages per week of general farm labourers, without free house, etc., in 1913 yields an index number of 611.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is quite clear from the figures he has produced that the farmers have fared worst in the changes that have taken place since 1913 as compared with other sections of the community? Is he further aware that their prices have not increased to the same extent as the cost of living and that the wages they are paying are six times as great as they were?

That is a separate question.

I want to know do these figures make provision for the robbery of the agricultural workers which took place in yesterday's Budget?

That is a separate question also.

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