asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the cost of living in each year since 1957.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living Increase.
5.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the Consumer Price Index numbers for mid-August in each year 1957 to 1963 to base August 1947 = 100 and the percentage change from the previous year in each case.
Following is the statement:—
CONSUMER Price Index for mid-August in each year 1957 to 1963, to base August 1947=100 and percentage change from previous year in each case.
|
August |
All Items |
|
|
Index |
% change from previous year |
|
|
1957 |
143 |
+5.9 |
|
1958 |
146 |
+2.1 |
|
1959 |
144 |
–1.4 |
|
1960 |
146 |
+1.4 |
|
1961 |
151 |
+3.4 |
|
1962 |
157 |
+4.0 |
|
1963 |
159 |
+1.3 |
6.
asked the Taoiseach whether the Government have made any estimate (a) of the percentage increase in the cost of living resulting from the imposition of the turnover tax, and if he will state what this estimate is, and (b) of the percentage increase in the cost of living resulting from increased salaries and wages following the imposition of the turnover tax, and if he will state what this estimate is.
In regard to the first part of the Deputy's question I would refer him to previous replies to similar questions, notably that given by the Minister for Finance on 7th May, 1963. As far as the second part is concerned he is, of course, aware that the extent to which any future increases in salaries and wages will result in an increase in the Consumer Price Index Number depends on the amount of such increases and on the proportion of them which will be absorbed by an increase in national productivity. It is not possible to make any reliable estimates of such changes in advance.