Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Nov 1972

Vol. 264 No. 3

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

66.

Mr. L'Estrange

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the percentage change in all items entering into the consumer price index numbers between mid-August, 1970, and mid-August, 1972; the reasons for the increase; and what action he proposes to take to contain the increase in the cost of living.

Mr. Lalor

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report statements giving (i) the percentage change in all the items entering into the consumer price index between mid-August, 1970, and mid-August, 1972, and (ii) the points increase in the consumer price index between mid-August, 1970, and mid-August, 1972, attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.

There are many factors which cause increases in prices, the principal factors being increased prices received by home producers of food; increased import prices; increased costs of wages, of salaries, of materials and of overheads.

I am hopeful that the extension of price control under the Prices (Amendment) Act, 1972, the activities of the National Prices Commission and the completion of the national wage agreement will have a stabilising effect on the cost of living.

Following are the statements :

(i) Percentage change in prices of items entering into the consumer price index between mid-August, 1970 and mid-August, 1972.

Commodity	Percentage increase (+) or decrease (—)
FOOD:
Beef:
Round steak	+ 33.52
Sirloin steak	+ 35.28
Sirloin roast	+ 31.96
Rib steak (or chuck)	+ 31.93
Leg of beef (boneless)	+ 33.57
Brisket corned beef	+ 35.26
Mutton (excl. Spring Lamb):
Leg (whole)	+ 28.51
Loin chops	+ 28.52
Cutlets (rib chops)	+ 27.06
Gigot chops	+ 28.96
Neck	+ 18.36
Liver	+ 19.94
Pork:
Leg (whole)	+ 18.05
Loin chops	+ 22.88
Shoulder (whole)	+ 18.36
Steak	+ 27.10
Bacon:
Best back rashers	+ 19.01
Streaky rashers	+ 18.65
Ham, uncooked (whole)	+ 20.05
Shoulder (whole)	+ 18.26
Poultry and other meat :
Broiler, uncooked, oven ready (medium size)	+ 6.25
Chicken, cooked (medium size)	+ 6.67
Ham, cooked	+ 16.66
Sausages, pork	+ 18.97
Black pudding	+ 21.68
Fresh fish:
Whiting, fillets	+ 29.93
Cod, cutlets	+ 25.60
Plaice, fillets	+ 18.27
Herrings (whole)	+ 32.47
Fish fingers	+ 31.15
Dried fish:
Fillets, smoked	+ 34.75
Kippers, smoked	+ 24.10
Tinned fish:
Salmon	+ 7.26
Sardines	+ 16.10
Fresh vegetables :
Potatoes	+ 56.75
Tomatoes	+ 162.14
Onions	+ 19.30
Carrots	+ 66.59
Turnips (medium size)	+ 56.32
Cabbage (medium size)	+ 51.85
Cauliflower (medium size)	+ 42.09
Dried peas	+ 14.36
Tinned vegetables:
Peas	+ 12.71
Beans	+ 10.14
Frozen vegetables:
Peas	+ 15.78
Beans	+ 11.70
Bread:
White, sliced	+ 20.12
White, unsliced	+ 19.52
Brown	+ 20.12
Flour:
White, plain	+ 16.78
White, self-raising	+ 13.96
Brown, wholemeal	+ 16.45
Biscuits:
Cream crackers	+ 14.22
Plain	+ 16.07
Sweet	+ 12.79
Cake:
Fruit	+ 9.63
Sponge sandwich	+ 9.67
Swiss roll	+ 11.19
Milk:
Fresh milk, pasteurised	+ 19.66
Condensed milk	+ 17.30
Fresh cream	+ 15.11
Cheese:
Processed	+ 27.86
Natural, cheddar or cheshire	+ 26.83
Eggs:
Large size	+ 17.97
Standard size	+ 16.26
Butter and other fats:
Butter, creamery	+ 11.76
Margarine	+ 16.72
Cooking fat	+ 13.48
Fresh fruit:
Apples, cooking	+ 58.44
Apples, eating	+ 40.91
Oranges	+ 37.34
Bananas	+ 7.30
Tinned fruit:
Pears	+ 6.06
Peaches	+ 6.87
Dried Fruit:
Raisins, seedless	+ 78.34
Sultanas	+ 11.45
Prunes	+ 16.92
Beverages :
Tea best quality	+ 2.49
Tea, medium quality	+ 1.89
Coffee beans, ground or roasted	+ 8.11
Coffee extracts, powder	+ 8.46
Cocoa	+ 18.61
Sugar:
White granulated	+ 22.22
Castor	+ 14.71
Cereal products:
Cornflakes	+ 10.55
Wheatflakes	+ 10.32
Oatmeal, packet	+ 15.02
Cornflour	+ 6.26
Rice	+ 4.59
Semolina	+ 10.97
Jelly and custard:
Jelly	+ 14.13
Custard powder	+ 4.78
Soup:
Tinned	+ 11.01
Dried	+ 7.21
Jams and syrup:
Jam	+ 13.88
Marmalade	+ 16.70
Golden Syrup	+ 13.51
Sweets and ice cream :
Sweets	+ 16.72
Chocolate bars	+ 20.50
Ice cream, block	+ 20.37
Soft drinks:
Minerals, orange	+ 22.95
Minerals, lemon	+ 22.14
Orange squash (concentrated)	+ 7.67
Miscellaneous items:
Sauce	+ 12.40
Bovril	+ 6.82
Salt	+ 6.16
Pepper	+ 17.98
Mustard	+ 15.82
Potato crisps	+ 1.84
Meals away from home	+ 22.52
ALCOHOLIC DRINK :
Sherry:
Glass	+ 11.18
Bottle	+ 4.43
Table Wine	+ 5.43
Stout:
Draught	+ 8.60
Bottle	+ 9.71
Ale, bottle	+ 9.14
Lager	+ 8.98
Whiskey:
Glass	+ 8.42
Bottle	+ 9.01
Gin:
Glass	+ 9.06
Bottle	+ 8.90
Brandy:
Glass	+ 12.79
Bottle	+ 11.49
TOBACCO :
Cigarettes:
Plain	+ 1.64
Filter tipped	– 0.13
Cigars	+ 4.40
Tobacco:
Plug	+ 0.92
Flake	+ 1.04
CLOTHING :
Men's outer-clothing:
Heavy overcoats, lined— low priced	+ 19.12
Heavy overcoats, lined— medium priced	+ 16.96
Cotton/terylene raincoats, proofed	+ 13.72
Two-piece suits, worsted readymade—low priced	+ 24.13
Two-piece suits, worsted, readymade — medium priced	+ 19.72
Two-piece suits, worsted, tailormade—low priced	+ 19.48
Two-piece suits, worsted, tailormade — medium priced	+ 17.68
Sports coats, tweed	+ 19.80
Trousers, terylene or cotton	+ 21.52
Cardigans	+ 17.00
Heavy pullovers	+ 13.99
Men's under-clothing:
Shirts, collar attached— low priced	+ 25.86
Shirts, collar attached— medium priced	+ 29.11
Vests	+ 10.05
Underpants, cotton	+ 23.59
Pyjamas	+ 18.67
Women's outer-clothing:
Coats, woollen lined—low priced	+ 31.03
Coats, woollen lined— medium priced	+ 25.72
Showerproofs, lined	+ 20.71
Two-piece suits—low priced	+ 26.00
Two-piece suits—medium priced	+ 23.21
Skirts, woollen	+ 25.00
Dresses, cotton	+ 28.82
Dresses, other material	+ 19.48
Blouses	+ 26.24
Cardigans—low priced	+ 17.28
Cardigans—medium priced	+ 14.33
Women's under-clothing:
Vests, cotton	+ 20.13
Panties	+ 22.17
Slips, nylon	+ 27.15
Corsets (with fastenings)	+ 19.72
Girdles	+ 20.37
Brassieres	+ 20.95
Nighdresses	+ 27.25
Pyjamas	+ 23.59
Children's outer-clothing:
Boys' heavy overcoats, lined	+ 12.32
Boys' two-piece suits, worsted, readymade	+ 14.89
Boys' trousers, short	+ 14.09
Boys' heavy pullovers, woollen	+ 9.53
Girls' coats, lined	+ 17.96
Girls' skirts	+ 13.76
Girls' dresses, cotton	+ 27.46
Girls' blouses	+ 29.61
Children's underwear:
Boys' shirts	+ 23.63
Boys' vests	+ 20.49
Boys' pyjamas	+ 20.54
Girls' vests, cotton	+ 9.82
Girls' panties, cotton	+ 17.16
Girls' nighdresses	+ 8.99
Hose:
Men's socks	+ 13.16
Boy's stockings, three-quarters length	+ 3.96
Women's tights and nylons	– 2.26
Girls' ankle socks, cotton	+ 12.50
Other clothing:
Men's handkerchief's, white cotton	+ 17.48
Men's ties, terylene	+ 30.77
Men's leather gloves, woollen lined	+ 18.40
Women's gloves	+ 18.03
Women's scarves	+ 13.72
Clothing material:
Dress material, woollen	+ 9.00
Dress material, cotton	+ 21.30
Wool, double-knit	+ 14.67
Thread, spool	+ 26.10
Footwear:
Men's leather shoes, welted	+ 21.93
Men's leather shoes, vulcanised	+ 20.43
Men's slippers, fabric uppers	+ 24.13
Men's boots, heavy working	+ 19.53
Women's casual shoes	+ 22.29
Women's fashion shoes— low priced	+ 27.68
Women's fashion shoes— medium priced	+ 24.38
Women's slippers, fabric uppers	+ 18.84
Boy's leather shoes, vulcanised	+ 20.15
Boy's boots	+ 20.48
Girl's leather shoes	+ 26.64
Children's wellington boots	+ 23.04
Children's sandals, rubber soled	+ 22.20
FUEL AND LIGHT:
Coal, delivered:
Best quality	+ 24.27
Medium quality	+ 22.55
Turf:
Briquettes	+ 18.58
Other	+ 17.83
Paraffin oil	+ 17.65
Bottled gas	+ 8.15
Firewood blocks	+ 17.02
Gas	+ 23.35
Electricity	+ 27.09
Fuel oil	+ 20.24
HOUSING :
Rent and rates (rented dwellings)	+ 22.94
Rates and water charges (owner occupied dwellings)	+ 35.77
Repairs and decorations	+ 11.70
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES:
Furniture:
Three-piece upholstered lounge suites (settee and two chairs)	+ 25.05
Fireside chairs, upholstered	+ 21.15
Dining-room suites, wood	+ 21.56
Kitchen sets, (table and four chairs)	+ 22.76
Bedroom suites	+ 17.23
Single divan beds (including mattress)	+ 23.12
Drop-side cots	+ 14.62
Large domestic appliances:
Radios, portable transistors	+ 13.48
Radios, mains	+ 10.84
Television sets	+ 14.16
Vacuum cleaners	+ 13.55
Cookers, electric	+ 13.23
Cookers, gas (bottled or piped)	+ 11.76
Refrigerators	+ 4.51
Washing machines	+ 6.03
Record players	+ 11.71
Small domestic appliances:
Fires, electric	+ 17.10
Irons, electric	+ 7.98
Kettles, electric	+ 7.01
Razors, electric	+ 6.28
Electric bulbs	+ 4.43
Oil heaters	+ 9.55
Tools and garden equipment :
Hammers	+ 30.52
Garden spades	+ 19.26
Lawnmowers, manual	+ 9.56
Wheelbarrows, metal	+ 9.88
Watering cans, plastic	+ 10.85
Dust bins, galvanised	+ 22.86
Floor coverings:
Linoleum	+ 23.19
Carpeting	+ 27.97
Hearth rugs	+ 12.97
Doormats	+ 19.82
Soft furnishings :
Curtain material—low priced	+ 25.29
Curtain material—medium priced	+ 18.35
Sheets, cotton, single size	+ 13.42
Blankets, all wool, single size	+ 11.43
Towels, turkish	+ 23.14
Tea towels,	+ 24.33
Tablecloths	+ 18.69
China and glassware:
Cups and saucers, ordinary ware	+ 27.84
Half-tea service, china (21) piece)	+ 16.93
Tumblers, pressed glass, no handle	+ 19.86
Casserole dishes, oven glassware	+ 17.19
Domestic utensils:
Table knives, stainless steel blade	+ 17.04
Table forks	+ 12.76
Saucepans aluminium	+ 24.77
Household scissors	+ 20.83
Scrubbing brushes	+ 27.04
Household sweeping brushes	+ 19.95
Polish brushes	+ 15.92
Wash-up basins, plastic	+ 23.90
Household buckets, plastic	+ 19.30
OTHER GOODS:
Domestic non-durables:
Household soaps	+ 21.45
Soap or detergent powders	+ 12.00
Soap or detergent liquids	+ 11.11
Starch	+ 10.11
Polish, floor	+ 7.02
Polish, shoe	+ 8.90
Toilet paper	+ 3.98
Matches	– 0.08
Toilet requisites:
Toilet soaps	+ 12.18
Tooth paste	+ 14.33
Hair cream	+ 12.76
Shampoo	+ 12.32
Cold cream	+ 14.16
Lipstick	+ 13.94
Paper tissues	+ 9.86
Razor blades	+ 3.72
Tooth brushes	+ 12.17
Personal goods:
Brief cases, leather	+ 12.84
Suitcases, large	+ 17.80
Ladies' handbages, leather	+ 16.10
School bags	+ 14.93
Umbrellas, women's	+ 22.75
Wristwatches, men's	+ 12.01
Alarm clocks, mechanical	+ 22.38
Sporting goods and toys: Gold balls	+ 14.19
Tennis balls	+ 21.93
Footballs, leather	+ 10.91
Tennis rackets	+ 16.80
Fishing-rods	+ 6.98
Toy table-tennis sets	+ 21.33
Tricycles	+ 21.03
Set of draughts	+ 31.90
Pack of playing cards	+ 15.00
Stationery:
Envelopes	+ 21.85
Writing pads	+ 17.97
Picture postcards	+ 20.60
Ink	+ 17.30
Pencils, black lead	+ 22.74
Fountain pens	+ 8.97
Ball-point pens	+ 9.77
Records and camera films:
Records, L.P., 33?r.p.m.	+ 12.96
Records, single, 45 r.p.m.	+ 18.14
Camera films, black and white	+ 5.61
Developing charge for film, black and white	+ 27.62
Newspapers and periodicals	+ 17.52
TRANSPORT :
Vehicles:
Motor cars	+ 21.24
Motor cycles	+ 16.58
Bicycles (without extras)	+ 18.44
Perambulators	+ 12.57
Go-cars	+ 14.00
Motor tax: Cars	+ 26.22
Cycles	+ 20.17
Motor insurance:
Cars	+ 6.37
Cycles	+ 2.52
Maintenance and running costs:
Petrol, high grade	+ 6.37
Petrol, low grade	+ 5.35
Motor oil	+ 19.16
Motor car tyre, new	+ 10.88
Motor car battery	+ 7.31
Charges for mending punctures	+ 19.03
Standard maintenance Charges	+ 32.68
Bicycle tyre	+ 19.23
Travelling:
Bus	+ 38.31
Train	+ 14.04
Other services	+ 19.15
SERVICES AND RELATED EXPENDITURE :
Entertainment:
Cinema, evening film, highest prices	+ 22.79
Cinema, evening film, lowest price	+ 26.78
Dance, regular admission, no special attraction	+ 13.57
Sports fixture, cheapest adult admission charge (excluding championship or cup matches)	+ 15.56
Hairdressing:
Men's haircuts	+ 15.37
Women's shampoo and (excluding trim) set	+ 15.02
Shoe repairs:
Men's shoes, soling and heeling	+ 17.48
Women's shoes, heeling	+ 19.24
Laundry:
Charges for men's shirts	+ 18.50
Charges for sheets (single size)	+ 20.54
Charges for tablecloths	+ 17.69
Launderette:
Washing, basic charge	+ 5.89
Drying, basic charge	+ 35.88
Dry cleaning :
Charge for cleaning man's two-piece suit	+ 12.10
Charge for cleaning woman's coat	+ 11.50
Medical supplies and services: Anadins	+ 16.51
Aspirins	+ 8.90
Andrews Liver Salts	+ 13.33
Milk of Magnesia	+ 18.38
Vaseline ointment	+ 24.69
Adhesive dressings	+ 19.41
Proprietary cough mixtures	+ 11.66
Medicines and drugs	+ 0.49
Doctor's, dentist's and optician's fees	+ 29.94
Hospital charges	+ 22.84
Education	+ 20.13
Domestic service	+ 29.47
Television rentals	+ 13.26
Hotel accommodation	+ 14.32
Expenditure abroad	+ 26.02
Postage	+ 50.71
Telephone and telegrams	+ 7.41
Subscriptions to sports clubs	+ 21.72
Trade union subscriptions	+ 13.03
Licences	+ 0.19
Other expenditure	+ 19.01

(ii) Points increase in the consumer price index (base November, 1968=100) between mid-August, 1970 and mid-August, 1972, attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.

Commodity Group and item	Points increase
Total all items	+ 21.40
Food.	+ 8.37
Potatoes	+ 0.93
Beef	+ 0.88
Bread	+ 0.65
Milk	+ 0.62
Mutton	+ 0.52
Meals away from home	+ 0.48
Bacon	+ 0.45
Tomatoes	+ 0.44
Butter, creamery	+ 0.31
Eggs	+ 0.28
Sugar	+ 0.20
Apples, cooking	+ 0.19
Cabbage	+ 0.15
Sweets	+ 0.14
Sausages, pork	+ 0.14
Pork	+ 0.13
Fish, fresh	+ 0.13
Ham, cooked	+ 0.14
Chocolate bar	+ 0.12
Apples, eating	+ 0.11
Oranges	+ 0.11
Minerals	+ 0.11
Alcoholic drink	+ 0.95
Cigarettes and tobacco	+ 0.06
Clothing	+ 1.96
Fuel and light	+ 1.47
Coal	+ 0.59
Electricity	+ 0.49
Gas	+ 0.25
Housing	+ 1.89
Rent and rates of rented dwellings	+ 0.89
Rates of owner occupied dwellings	+ 0.79
Repairs and decorations of all dwellings	+ 0.20
Durable household goods	+ 0.77
Other Goods	+ 1.00
Papers and magazines	+ 0.52
Transport	+ 2.39
Public transport	+ 0.89
Motor cars	+ 0.70
Petrol	+ 0.16
Motor car and cycle tax	+ 0.15
Other travel	+ 0.13
Services and related expenditure	+ 2.55
Other expenditure	+ 0.34
Admission to cinema	+ 0.31
Domestic service	+ 0.30
Education	+ 0.25
Professional fees	+ 0.24
Postage	+ 0.17
Admission to dance	+ 0.14

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.