Enda Kenny
Ceist:38 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the estimated per capita income, expressed in Irish punts, of each member country of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Per Capita Income of Member States.
The figures requested by the Deputy are presented in a tabular statement which will be circulated in the Official Report.
I assume that the Deputy's interest is in Ireland's position relative to income levels in other countries of the European Union. To make comparisons of that nature, it is necessary to adjust the income data for differences in price levels between the various countries. This is the standard approach for international comparisons of income levels. It is used whenever comparisons are needed for Structural Funds purposes.
The most recent year for which comprehensive official data are available for the Twelve on this basis is 1992. These put Ireland's per capita GDP at almost 72 per cent of the Community average, a substantial improvement since 1986 when it was just 60 per cent of the average. Although official data for 1993 are not available, Ireland's relative GDP growth performance in 1993 indicates that further gains were made last year.
The improvement in Ireland's position is a tribute to the successful implementation of our stabilisation and development policies which have seen the economy continuing to grow and maintain employment in the face of recession elsewhere in Europe, and to the productive use which has been made of the EU Structural Funds.
GDP at current market prices per head of population in IR£ equivalent in 1992
|
£ |
|
|
Belgium |
12,872 |
|
Denmark |
16,146 |
|
West Germany |
16,055 |
|
Unified Germany |
14,012 |
|
Greece |
4,469 |
|
Spain |
8,648 |
|
France |
13,728 |
|
IRELAND |
8,284 |
|
Italy |
12,508 |
|
Luxembourg |
15,225 |
|
Netherlands |
12,438 |
|
Portugal |
5,335 |
|
United Kingdom |
10,606 |
|
Europe 12 |
12,343 |
|
Europe 12+ |
12,029 |
Sources: European Commission Annual Economic Report for 1993 and Department of Finance.