andMr. G. Lynch asked the Taoiseach the cost of living index figure at 30th September 1969 and at 30th September 1971; and the reason for the increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living Index.
19.
The consumer price index with base mid-November, 1968, as 100 was 106.8 at mid-August, 1969, and 126.0 at mid-August 1971. The index is calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the points increase attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.
Following is the statement:
POINTS increase in the Consumer Price Index (base November, 1968=100) between mid-August, 1969 and mid-August, 1971, attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.
|
Commodity Group and Item |
Points increase |
|
Total all items |
+19.19 |
|
Food |
+ 5.39 |
|
Beef |
+ 0.66 |
|
Milk |
+ 0.53 |
|
Bread |
+ 0.45 |
|
Meals away from home |
+ 0.43 |
|
Mutton |
+ 0.37 |
|
Bacon |
+ 0.34 |
|
Tomatoes |
+ 0.27 |
|
Chocolate bar |
+ 0.18 |
|
Ham, cooked |
+ 0.15 |
|
Sweets |
+ 0.14 |
|
Sugar |
+ 0.12 |
|
Pork |
+ 0.12 |
|
Eggs (corrected for seasonality) |
+ 0.11 |
|
Sausages, pork |
+ 0.10 |
|
Alcoholic drink |
+ 1.47 |
|
Cigarettes and tobacco |
+ 0.42 |
|
Clothing |
+ 1.76 |
|
Fuel and light |
+ 1.33 |
|
Coal |
+ 0.61 |
|
Electricity |
+ 0.43 |
|
Gas |
+ 0.18 |
|
Housing |
+ 1.59 |
|
Rent and rates of rented dwellings |
+ 0.70 |
|
Rates of owner occupied dwellings |
+ 0.63 |
|
Repairs and decorations of all dwellings |
+ 0.26 |
|
Durable household goods |
+ 0.74 |
|
Other Goods |
+ 1.38 |
|
Papers and magazines |
+ 0.91 |
|
Transport |
+ 2.38 |
|
Public transport |
+ 0.80 |
|
Motor cars |
+ 0.64 |
|
Petrol |
+ 0.22 |
|
Motor car and cycle insurance |
+ 0.17 |
|
Motor car and cycle tax |
+ 0.15 |
|
Services and related expenditure |
+ 2.74 |
|
Other expenditure |
+ 0.37 |
|
Admission to cinema |
+ 0.29 |
|
Domestic service |
+ 0.28 |
|
Education |
+ 0.26 |
|
Professional fees |
+ 0.20 |
|
Admission to dance |
+ 0.19 |
|
Postage |
+ 0.17 |
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that we have had the biggest increase in the cost of living within the past year, and that it was almost twice the average for previous years? Will he further agree that this was due to Government incompetence and the fact that they have not dealt properly with inflation?
I would not agree.
Of course the Parliamentary Secretary would not.
I would not agree that it is attributable to Government incompetence.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it was the biggest increase in any year and that it was almost twice the average over the past six years?
I would not agree at all.
To what is it attributable?
If the Deputy puts down a more specific question on that point I will be able to give him a more specific answer.