asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of the rise in the cost of living since March 1957; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure against any further increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living.
2.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Record. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my statement on this matter on the 3rd June last, when replying to the debate on the Estimate for the Department of Industry and Commerce (Dáil Debates, Vol. 175 No. 8, Cols. 945-947).
Following is the statement:—
ANALYSIS of Increase in Consumer Price Index between February 1957 and May 1959.
|
Increase in Points |
|
|
Food |
9.86 |
|
Clothing |
.14 |
|
Fuel and Light |
.80 (decrease) |
|
Housing |
.34 |
|
Sundries |
2.79 |
|
Total Increase |
12.33 |
|
Main Changes in Food Items: |
|
|
Bread |
2.85 |
|
Potatoes |
2.42* |
|
Beef |
1.17 |
|
Eggs |
.88* |
|
Creamery Butter |
.79 |
|
Household Flour |
.74 |
|
Fresh Milk |
.40* |
|
Total of Items listed above |
9.25 |
|
*corrected for seasonability. |
|
|
Main Changes in Sundries: |
|
|
Tobacco |
.87 |
|
Drink |
.66 |
|
Other Goods and Services (mainly increases in petrol and transport costs and in various services) |
1.16 |
|
Total of Items listed above |
2.69 |