asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) for each of the years 1947 to the latest date for which figures are available the Cost-of-Living Index (Essential Items) figure averaged for each year, and (b) for each of the years 1934 to 1947 the average Cost-of-Living Index number averaged for each year, and the extension of such index number over the years 1947 to 1957 as compiled for the purposes of transferred officers.
Written Answers. - Cost-of-Living Index.
(a) The following table shows, to base August 1947= 100, the average for each of the years 1947-1953 of the four quarterly values, relating to February, May, August and November, of the Interim Cost-of-Living Index (Essential Items). This index was discontinued and replaced in November, 1953 by the Consumer Price Index.
Interim Cost-of-Living Index (Essential Items).
Average of quarterly figures to base August 1947=100.
|
Year |
Index |
|
1947 |
98.50* |
|
1948 |
99.25 |
|
1949 |
99.50 |
|
1950 |
101.00 |
|
1951 |
109.00 |
|
1952 |
118.50 |
|
1953 |
124.67† |
*Average of August and November only.
†Average of February, May and August only.
(b) The following table shows, to base July, 1914=100, the average for each of the years 1934-1947 of the four quarterly values relating to February, May, August and November, of the Cost-of-Living Index. This index was replaced in November, 1947 by the Interim Cost of Living Index (Essential Items) which, as modified in 1953 by the introduction of the Consumer Price Index, is the only Official Retail Price Index for the subsequent period. Certain computations of restricted application were continued on the old basis for the purpose of giving effect to legal decisions relating to transferred officers. These computations are based on data relating to 1922 which are completely out-of-date and it is not proposed to publish them.
Cost-of-Living Index Number.
Average of quarterly figures to base July 1914=100.
|
Year |
Index |
Year |
Index |
|
1934 |
152.50 |
1941 |
225.75 |
|
1935 |
155.50 |
1942 |
250.00 |
|
1936 |
160.25 |
1943 |
281.50 |
|
1937 |
170.25 |
1944 |
295.00 |
|
1938 |
173.25 |
1945 |
294.50 |
|
1939 |
177.75 |
1946 |
290.50 |
|
1940 |
205.25 |
1947 |
306.33† |
†Average of February, May and August only.