Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1964

Vol. 211 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.

7.

Dr. Browne

asked the Taoiseach the number of goods and items normally reckoned in assessing the cost of living figure, which have increased in price since the recent ninth round wage increase; and if he will give (a) the highest percentage increase, (b) the lowest percentage increase, and (c) the average percentage increase.

8.

Dr. Browne

asked the Taoiseach if he will give the list of items or commodities used to assess the cost of living figure, which have increased in price since the recent ninth round wage award.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Mr. J. Brennan)

The Consumer Price Index is calculated only in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together and to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the list of items entering into the calculation of the index together with the percentage change in the price of each item between mid-February and mid-May, 1964. The overall increase was 3.9 per cent in this period.

Following is the statement:—

PERCENTAGE change in prices of items entering into the Consumer Price Index between mid-February, 1964 and mid-May, 1964.

Commodity	Percentage increase (+) or decrease (-)
FOOD:
Beef	+12.81
Mutton	+9.34
Bacon and Pigs' heads	+1.53
Ham, uncooked	+1.93
,, cooked	+1.52
Rashers, streaky	+1.38
Fresh pork, shoulder	+2.53
Pork sausages	+1.47
Boiling fowl	+1.16
Kippered herring	+0.43
Fresh herring	+1.03
Whiting	+1.75
Cod steak	–1.53
Tinned salmon	+0.06
Eggs, 1st grade, hen	–21.23
Butter, Irish creamery	+0.36
,, farmers	–0.75
Margarine	+0.09
Cheese	+0.94
Lard	+1.09
Fresh milk	+4.02
Condensed milk	+1.55
Bread	+4.37
Household flour	+5.71
Cake	+1.29
Oatmeal	+0.15
Breakfast cereals	+1.51
Rice	+1.14
Semolina	+0.82
Potatoes	+7.19
Cabbage	–1.37
Onions	+0.92
Carrots	+0.54
Dried peas	+3.04
Cooking Apples	+8.91
Oranges	–2.04
Tomatoes	+33.74
Sultanas	+6.04
Tinned pears	+0.18
Tinned beans in tomato sauce	+2.79
Tea, best quality	+0.13
Tea, as used by wage-earning classes	+0.14
Coffee	+1.44
Cocoa	+2.61
Cornflour	+0.56
Custard powder	+2.28
Sugar—white granulated	+9.38
Salt, table	+0.14
Mustard	+0.33
Jam—strawberry	+2.11
,, mixed fruit	+3.03
,, marmalade	+3.22
Sauce	+1.01
Boiled sweets	+1.26
Bar of chocolate	+0.49
Biscuits	+0.56
Jellies	+3.12
Soft drinks	+3.47
Other groceries	+4.84
DRINK AND TOBACCO:
Beer and ale	+5.81
Stout—bottled	+6.72
,,—draught	+7.09
Whiskey (Irish)	+3.56
Cigarettes	+6.67
Tobacco	+0.36
CLOTHING:
MEN'S:
Suit—readymade	+3.90
,, —tailormade	+3.02
Overcoat—readymade	+1.79
Cotton raincoat, rubber-proofed	+2.31
Wool gaberdine raincoat	+1.47
Sports coat	+3.09
Flannel trousers	+2.38
Hat	+1.56
Overalls	+2.38
Pullover (wool,sleeveless)	+2.80
Cotton singlet	+2.73
Woollen vest (short sleeves)	+2.65
Underpants	+1.98
Shirt (collar attached)	+1.68
,, (tunic 2 collars)	+1.45
Pyjamas	+0.85
Socks	+2.77
BOYS' (AGED ABOUT 12 YEARS):
Suit	+3.42
Overcoat	+2.63
Raincoat	+2.00
Woollen jersey (long sleeves)	+4.09
Shirt	+1.91
Woollen stockings	+1.26
WOMEN'S:
Light coat	+2.40
Heavy coat	+2.00
Costume	+2.14
Blouse	+3.60
Skirt	+2.35
Woollen dress	+1.92
Silk or art silk dress	+2.23
Cotton dress	+2.92
Hat	+2.75
Gloves	+2.45
Cardigan	+2.31
Slip	+1.42
Brassiere	+2.53
Corset	+2.04
Knickers	+0.54
Vest	+3.18
Nightdress	+2.37
Stockings—nylon—fully fashioned	–0.98
Stockings—lisle	–0.93
GIRLS' (AGED ABOUT 12 YEARS)
Overcoat	+2.65
Cotton frock	+3.90
Woollen frock	+3.04
Stockings	+1.65
OTHER CLOTHING ITEMS:
Cotton piece goods	+2.86
Woollen piece goods	+2.19
Knitting wool	+1.51
FOOTWEAR:
Men's boots	+1.17
,, Shoes (leather sole)	+1.69
Boys' boots (for boy of 12)	+2.16
,, shoes (for boy of 12)	+1.76
Wellington boots (for boy of 12)	+0.09
Women's shoes	+1.34
Girls' shoes (for girl of 12)	+1.69
Child's sandals	+2.20
Men's rubber boots	+0.31
OTHER CLOTHING	+2.11
FUEL AND LIGHT:
Candles	+0.47
Paraffin	+0.15
Coal	+0.20
Gas	+0.06
Turf (other than briquettes)	+0.20
Firewood blocks	+1.43
Electricity	No change
DURABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS:
Wire mattress	+2.73
Spring interior mattress	+3.32
Fibre mattress	+2.23
Kitchen chair	+2.93
Kitchen table, white deal	+1.62
Three-piece suite, upholstered	+2.62
Bedroom suite	+2.34
Wireless receiving set	+0.24
Carpet	+1.91
Linoleum	+1.10
Door mat	+2.36
Blankets, woollen	+1.24
Sheets	+1.79
Curtain material	+5.01
Hand towel (terry)	+0.64
Dishcloth	+2.44
Table knives	+1.65
Forks	+0.93
Cup and saucer, undecorated whiteware	+2.75
Tumbler	+0.85
Saucepan, aluminium	+1.43
Galvanised bucket	+1.31
Sweeping brush	+1.25
Scrubbing brush	+2.00
Electric iron	+0.85
Electric lamp bulb, 60 watt	+0.54
Non-electrical appliances	+1.49
Motor cars and motor cycles	+1.40
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES:
Soap—household	No change
,, —toilet	+1.22
,, —powder	+2.04
Scouring powder	+2.34
Boot polish	No change
Floor polish	+0.61
Toothpaste	+1.13
Toilet paper	No change
Razor blades	+0.23
Face powder	+0.29
Lipstick	+0.26
Aspirin	+1.35
Quinine	+0.72
Matches	No change
Writing pad	No change
Package of envelopes	+3.95
Bicycle	+1.54
Cycle tyre	+0.50
Papers and magazines	+12.58
Petrol and oil	+4.99
Admission to cinema	+5.76
,, to football match	+0.57
,, to dance	+2.53
Shoe repairs, men's sole and heel, leather	+1.18
Men's haircut	+8.04
Women's trim, shampoo and set	+5.64
Dry cleaning of men's 3 piece suit	+0.89
Dry cleaning of women's costume	+0.77
Travel—train	+10.00
,, —bus	+14.07
,, —other travelling	+0.38
Post	No change
Phone	No change
Education	No change
Domestic service	+10.32
Hotel expenses	No change
HOUSING:
Rent and rates of rented dwellings	No change
Rates of owner occupied dwellings	No change
Repairs and decorations of all dwellings	+2.40

Mr. Dillon

The net result is the cost of living has gone up by 12 points since this time last year.

Mr. T. Lynch

Not a word.