Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Gross Domestic Product.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

21 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office has been informed by Eurostat of the updated GDP statistics for the counties or regions of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24862/98]

The Taoiseach:

Estimates of GDP per capita for the EU and its regions, expressed in purchasing power parities (PPPs) to allow for differences in price levels between member states, were received by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) form Eurostat by e-mail on Wednesday, 18 November.

These estimates incorporate the latest data supplied by the member states. They showed that Ireland was at 95 per cent of the EU average over the period 1994-96. The conversion of the Irish estimates to a PPP basis is still the subject of discussion with Eurostat regarding some technical issues. However, any resulting amendment is likely to be of a relatively minor nature, probably amounting to no more than 1 per cent.