Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 1967

Vol. 229 No. 6

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

1.

Mr. Cosgrave

asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the consumer price index between mid-May, 1966, and mid-May, 1967; and the items included in the index which have increased in the meantime.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. J. Gibbons) (for the Taoiseach)

With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the percentage change in the price of each item entering into the Consumer Price Index between mid-May, 1966, and mid-May, 1967. In the period, the index (base August, 1947=100) rose from 185 to 192, an increase of 3.8 per cent.

Following is the statement:

PERCENTAGE change in prices of items entering into the Consumer Price Index between mid-May, 1966 and mid-May, 1967.

Commodity	Percentage increase (+) or decrease (-)
Food:—
Beef	–4.19
Mutton	–2.32
Bacon and Pigs' heads	+4.42
Ham, uncooked	+5.18
,, cooked	+8.42
Rashers, streaky	+5.65
Fresh pork, shoulder	+3.91
Pork sausages	+3.68
Boiling fowl	–2.58
Kippered herring	+0.18
Fresh herring	+8.48
Whiting	+2.73
Cod steak	+2.74
Tinned salmon	+2.15
Eggs, 1st grade, hen	–3.93
Butter, Irish creamery	+5.25
,,farmers'	+3.63
Margarine	+0.50
Cheese	+1.90
Lard	+2.04
Fresh milk	+6.77
Condensed milk	+1.17
Bread	+10.90
Household flour	+5.77
Cake	+1.96
Oatmeal	+0.57
Breakfast cereals	+0.56
Rice	+4.97
Semolina	+1.22
Potatoes	–14.14
Cabbage	–11.11
Onions	+27.03
Carrots	–6.36
Dried peas	+2.72
Cooking Apples	+11.80
Oranges	+6.34
Tomatoes	– 18.48
Sultanas	+0.96
Tinned pears	–0.39
Tinned beans in tomato sauce.	+7.36
Tea, best quality	–0.03
Tea, as used by wage- earning classes.	+0.01
Coffee	+0.11
Cocoa	+0.33
Cornflour	+0.71
Custard powder	+3.35
Sugar—white granulated	No change
Salt, table	+2.56
Mustard	+0.82
Jam—strawberry	+3.34
,, —mixed fruit	+5.44
,, —marmalade	+3.99
Sauce	+1.22
Boiled sweets	+0.90
Bar of chocolate	+0.73
Biscuits	+1.33
Jellies	–0.57
Soft drinks	+4.86
Other groceries	+1.93
DRINK AND TOBACCO:—
Beer and ale	+4.37
Stout—bottled	+5.71
,,—draught	+7.33
Whiskey (Irish)	+3.33
Cigarettes	+7.37
Tobacco	+8.75
CLOTHING:—
MEN'S
Suit—readymade	+2.10
,,tailormade	+2.47
Overcoat—readymade	+1.34
Cotton raincoat, rubber- proofed.	+3.13
Wool gaberdine raincoat	+0.78
Sports coat	+3.91
Flannel trousers	+0.40
Hat	+2.58
Overalls	+1.51
Pullover (wool, sleeve- less).	+2.18
Cotton singlet	+1.03
Woollen vest (short sleeves).	+1.84
Underpants	+2.01
Shirt (collar attached)	+1.18
,, (tunic 2 collars)	+1.10
Pyjamas	+1.05
Socks	+0.58
BOYS' (Aged about 12 years)
Suit	+2.47
Overcoat	+1.39
Raincoat	+0.99
Woollen jersey (long sleeves).	+3.16
Shirt	+1.75
Woollen stockings	+1.77
WOMEN'S:—
Light coat	+1.17
Heavy coat	+1.24
Costume	+1.42
Blouse	+1.94
Skirt	+2.64
Woollen dress	+1.59
Silk or art silk dress	+1.35
Cotton dress	+1.72
Hat	+1.90
Gloves	+2.18
Cardigan	+0.84
Slip	+0.72
Brassiere	+2.43
Corset	+2.55
Knickers	+0.78
Vest	+2.64
Nightdress	+2.08
Stockings—nylon—fully fashioned.	–7.54
Stockings—lisle	+0.18
GIRLS' (aged about 12 years)
Overcoat	+1.15
Cotton frock	+2.71
Woollen frock	+3.27
Stockings	–0.89
OTHER CLOTHING ITEMS
Cotton piece goods	+1.12
Woollen piece goods	+1.35
Knitting wool	No change
FOOTWEAR
Men's Boots	+2.26
Men's Shoes (leather sole)	+2.77
Boys' boots (for boy of 12)	+1.87
Boys' shoes (for boy of 12)	+2.16
Wellington boots (for boy of 12)	+0.52
Women's shoes	+1.38
Girls' shoes (for girl of 12)	+1.63
Child's sandals	+2.50
Men's rubber boots	–0.12
OTHER CLOTHING	+1.45
FUEL AND LIGHT:—
Candles	+0.80
Paraffin	+0.27
Coal	+3.49
Gas	+2.99
Turf (other than briquettes)	+8.55
Firewood blocks	+5.92
Electricity	+7.00
DURABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS:
Wire mattress	+6.53
Spring interior mattress	+3.64
Fibre mattress	+4.82
Kitchen chair	+6.38
Kitchen table, white deal	+2.69
Three-piece suite, upholstered	+2.00
Bedroom suite	+2.15
Wireless receiving set	+2.00
Carpet	+2.19
Linoleum	+2.68
Door mat	+3.00
Blankets, woollen	+2.85
Sheets	+2.70
Curtain material	+0.60
Hand towel (terry)	+5.76
Dishcloth	+2.34
Table knives	+2.07
Forks	+2.79
Cup and saucer, undecorated whiteware	+5.61
Tumbler	+7.69
Saucepan, aluminium	+3.20
Galvanised bucket	+2.77
Sweeping brush	+2.96
Scrubbing brush	+3.70
Electric iron	+2.81
Electric lamp bulb, 60 watt	+2.56
Non-electrical appliances	+8.18
Motor cars and motor cycles	+8.31
OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES:
Soap—household	+2.61
Soap—toilet	+4.30
Soap—powder	+1.57
Scouring powder	+3.70
Boot polish	+0.90
Floor polish	+1.81
Toothpaste	+1.65
Toilet paper	+1.77
Razor blades	+0.67
Face powder	+2.48
Lipstick	+2.65
Aspirin	+1.27
Quinine	+4.26
Matches	No change
Writing pad	+1.42
Package of envelopes	+2.50
Bicycle	+4.44
Cycle tyre	+3.20
Papers and magazines	+6.88
Petrol and oil	+0.24
Admission to cinema	+4.12
Admission to football match	+6.26
Admission to dance	+8.42
Shoe repairs, men's sole and heel, leather	+2.33
Men's haircut	+5.86
Women's trim, shampoo and set.	+2.33
Dry cleaning of men's 3 piece suit.	+3.35
Dry cleaning of women's costume.	+3.65
Travel—train	+10.00
Travel—bus	+13.34
Travel—other travelling	+2.68
Post	No change
Phone	No change
Education	+8.91
Domestic service	+8.76
Hotel expenses	+5.30
HOUSING:—
Rent and rates of rented dwellings.	+6.24
Rates of owner occupied dwellings.	+7.20
Repairs and decorations of all dwellings.	+3.99

Mr. Corish

Could the Parliamentary Secretary give the answer to the first part of the question?

Mr. J. Gibbons

It is extremely long.

Mr. Corish

The answer to the first of it?

Mr. J. Gibbons

I have given that.

Mr. Corish

How much?

Mr. J. Gibbons

3.8 per cent.