asked the Taoiseach if he will state the average cost-of-living figure for each year from 1938 to 1954.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost-of-Living Figures.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the desired information.
Following is the statement:—
ANNUAL AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS, 1938-1953.
|
Year |
Index Number (Base July 1914=100) |
|
1938 |
173 |
|
1939 |
178 |
|
1940 |
205 |
|
1941 |
226 |
|
1942 |
250 |
|
1943 |
282 |
|
1944 |
295 |
|
1945 |
291 |
|
1946 |
291 |
|
1947 |
307 |
|
1948 |
317 |
|
1949 |
318 |
|
1950 |
322 |
|
1951 |
348 |
|
1952 |
378 |
|
1953 |
398 |
|
1954 (First Quarter) |
396 |
NOTE.
The figures shown represent averages of the quarterly figures (mid-February, mid-May, mid-August, mid-November). Up to mid-August 1947 the quarterly figures were the official series. From mid-November, 1947, the figures used were the official index numbers (to base mid-August, 1947 as 100) linked to the former series at mid-August, 1947, i.e., found by multiplying the post August, 1947, official series by 3.19, the official index for mid-August, 1947, being 319.
asked the Taoiseach if he will give the percentage increase in the present cost-of-living figure over the average for 1939.
Taking the average of the four quarterly indices in 1939 as 100, the Consumer Price Index in mid-February, 1954, was 222, i.e. there was a rise over the period of 122 per cent.