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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Jul 1955

Vol. 152 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state, in respect of each complete list of items entering into the calculation of the consumer price index, the ratio of the national average retail price of each item at mid-May, 1955, to its national average retail price at mid-August, 1953.

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:—

RATIO of the price of each item entering into the Consumer Price Index at mid-May, 1955 to its price at mid-August, 1953

Item

Price in May, 1955 divided by price in Aug., 1953

FOOD:

Beef

1.16902

Mutton

1.05808

Bacon and pigs' heads

0.96683

Ham, uncooked

0.97984

Ham, cooked

0.93299

Rashers, streaky

0.94697

Fresh pork shoulder

1.02231

Pork sausages

0.91596

Boiling fowl

1.10565

Kippered herring

1.00072

Fresh herring

1.03940

Whiting

1.07400

Cod steak

0.98798

Tinned salmon

1.09356

Eggs, 1st grade, hen*

0.86847

Butter, creamery

0.90000

Butter, farmers'

0.91722

Margarine

1.00000

Cheese

1.02193

Lard

1.17237

Fresh milk*

1.00105

Condensed milk, Irish full cream

0.99288

Bread

0.94809

Household flour

0.92825

Cake

0.97279

Oatmeal

1.08071

Rice

0.82035

Semolina

1.02543

Potatoes*

1.46344

Cabbage

1.54048

Onions

1.08128

Carrots

1.67415

Dried peas

1.03944

Cooking apples

1.37688

Oranges

0.93221

Tomatoes

1.21115

Sultanas

0.89273

Tinned pears

0.98870

Tinned beans in tomato sauce

0.82354

Tea

1.02140

Coffee

1.10245

Cocoa

1.19313

Cornflour

0.95111

Custard powder

0.97872

Sugar, white granulated

1.00000

Salt (table)

0.99292

Mustard

0.94363

Jam

0.99195

Sauce

1.00410

Boiled sweets

1.00676

Bars of chocolate

1.01448

Biscuits

1.02523

Jellies

0.99116

Soft drinks

1.02638

Breakfast cereals

0.97802

Other groceries

1.02715

FUEL AND LIGHT:

Candles

1.03532

Paraffin oil

0.99184

Coal

1.05885

Gas

0.99952

Turf

1.06694

Firewood blocks

1.02716

Electricity

1.00000

HOUSING:

Rent and rates of rented dwellings

1.06638

Rates of owner occupied dwellings

1.07582

Repair and decoration of all dwellings

0.99021

CLOTHING:

Men's—

Suits

0.99454

Overcoats

1.00892

Cotton raincoats, rubber proofed

1.01235

Wool gaberdine raincoats

1.02260

Sports coats

0.99269

Flannel trousers

1.00504

Hats

0.99006

Overalls

1.03189

Pullovers (wool, sleeveless)

1.00210

Cotton singlets

0.99267

Woollen vests (short sleeves)

1.01352

Underpants

0.99773

Shirts—collar attached

0.98854

Shirts—tunic, two collars

1.00275

Pyjamas

1.01313

Socks

0.97879

Boys'—

Suits

1.00868

Overcoats

1.00670

Raincoats

0.99665

Woollen jerseys

0.97495

Shirts

1.00622

Woollen stockings

0.99828

Women's—

Light coats

1.00047

Heavy coats

0.98790

Costumes

1.00223

Blouses

1.01202

Skirts

0.98817

Woollen dresses

1.01388

Silk or art silk dresses

0.96888

Cotton dresses

1.00657

Hats

0.99652

Gloves

1.02626

Cardigans

1.00996

Slips

0.96876

Brassieres

0.99856

Corsets

1.00430

Knickers

0.99865

Vests

0.98325

Nightdresses

1.01083

Stockings—nylon—fully fashioned

0.95496

Stockings—lisle

0.99462

Girls'—

Overcoats

0.99740

Cotton frocks

0.97410

Woollen frocks

1.03265

Stockings

0.98058

Cotton piece goods

0.99478

Woollen piece goods

0.99654

Knitting wool

1.02564

Men's boots

1.01428

Men's shoes, leather sole

1.01962

Boys' boots

1.01082

Boys' shoes

1.03264

Wellington boots

0.91584

Women's shoes

1.02355

Girls' shoes

1.02117

Children's sandals

1.01708

Men's rubber boots

0.90608

Other clothing

1.00185

SUNDRIES:

Beer and ale

1.00285

Stout, bottled

1.00000

Stout, draught

1.00342

Whiskey

1.00000

Cigarettes

1.00000

Tobacco

1.00000

Wire mattresses

0.98060

Spring interior mattresses

1.00068

Fibre mattresses

0.99512

Kitchen chairs

1.00496

Kitchen tables

0.97675

Three piece suites, upholstered

1.00493

Bedroom suites

0.99658

Radios

0.98056

Carpets

0.98878

Linoleum

0.95564

Doormats

0.98325

Blankets

1.03405

Sheets

1.00314

Curtain materials

0.98891

Hand-towels

0.96253

Dishcloths

0.98088

Cutlery

1.01873

Crockery, undecorated whitewear

1.00000

Tumblers

0.96926

Saucepans, aluminium

0.97628

Galvanised buckets

0.97515

Sweeping brushes

0.95820

Scrubbing brushes

0.98493

Electric irons

0.95694

Electric lamp bulbs

0.97206

Non-electric appliances

1.03801

Soap, household

1.00000

Soap, toilet

1.00000

Soap powder

1.01612

Scouring powder

1.05263

Boot polish

1.00000

Floor polish

1.01461

Toothpaste

0.98665

Toilet paper

0.98028

Razor blades

1.00598

Face powder

0.98745

Lipstick

1.00286

Medicines

1.02161

Matches

1.00000

Writing pads

0.99256

Packets of envelopes

1.00000

Bicycles

0.98480

Cycle tyres

1.02856

Admission to cinemas

1.05335

Admission to football matches

1.05000

Admission to dances

1.05910

Shoe repairs

1.02715

Men's hairdressing

1.03278

Women's hairdressing

1.00358

Dry cleaning— Men's clothing

0.97204

Women's clothing

0.97372

Motor cars and motor cycles

0.99520

Train fares

1.00000

Bus fares

1.00000

Other travelling

1.00795

Papers and magazines

1.00000

Postage

1.00000

Telephone

1.13332

Education

1.02748

Domestic service

1.06373

Hotel expenses

1.02780

*Corrected for seasonality.

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