asked the Minister for Finance (a) the expected rate of inflation for 1983 and (b) the increase in inflation as a result of the measures introduced in the budget.
Written Answers . - Rate of Inflation .
126.
: As regards (a) of the Deputy's question, the rate of inflation in 1983 is expected to be fractionally over 10 per cent.
Regarding (b), as already indicated in my Financial Statement of 9 February 1983, the revenue proposals contained in the budget, combined with the earlier excise duty increases announced on 7 January, will raise the consumer price index by about 3½ percentage points.