Vol. 552 No. 2
54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the level of growth in the retail food sector, especially in the restaurant and dining area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12115/02]
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. Changing lifestyles and increased disposable income are having an effect in increasing household expenditure on food and are driving a sustained expansion in the food service sector. This is borne out by the results of the CSO household budget survey for 2000, which shows that between 1995 and 2000 average weekly household expenditure on food increased by 31% while expenditure on meals away from home increased by approximately 150%.
