asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the overall percentage increase in the cost of living and (b) the percentage increase in the cost of food since the start of the financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living.
2.
The consumer price index is calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. Between mid-February and mid-November, 1973, the all items index rose by 8.4 per cent and the food index by 7.0 per cent. The figures for mid-February, 1974, will be available in mid-March.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he will adopt a new base for the retail price index, such as 1st April, 1974.
The weighting basis used in the compilation of the consumer price index is provided by the results of the most recent household budget survey. A large-scale inquiry of this kind is at present being undertaken. When the results become available next year they will be used to provide a new weighting basis for the index.