Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the average industrial wage for each of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16222/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The average industrial wage for 2005 was €30,310 as measured by the old CSO survey 'Industrial Earnings and Hours Worked'.

The average industrial wage as measured by the new release 'Earnings and Labour Costs' is used for the subsequent years. The two measures are not directly comparable but the new series provides better coverage of earnings data.

The averages for 2006 and 2007 were €31,010 and €32,730, respectively. Data for Q4 2008 is not available from the CSO and is due to be released no later than April 30th. As a result, the average industrial wage for 2008 has not been confirmed. However, the average industrial wage for the four quarters to Q3 2008 is estimated at €33,355.

From Q4 2004 to Q3 2008, the cumulative increase in the average industrial wage was 11.4%.