Written answers
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Department of Finance
Social Welfare Benefits
10:00 am
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the Eurostat survey that found that Ireland has the second highest food and drink prices in the EU; if he will bear this in mind when looking at social welfare levels ahead of the December budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30045/10]
Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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According to Eurostat, food prices in Ireland were among the highest in Europe when surveyed in 2009. This is reflective of factors including the relatively large import content of processed food and our peripheral geographical location. However, in the twelve months to May 2010, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages has fallen by 6 per cent in Ireland but remained unchanged on average in the EU as a whole. I would therefore expect to see noticeable convergence when the 2010 data are published next year. Between 2000 and 2010 the non-contributory state pension increased by 59 per cent in real terms while jobseekers' allowance increased by 60 per cent in real terms. Any decision with regard to social welfare rates of payment is a matter for Government for the 2011 Budget.
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