Families Struggle To Survive As Prices Rise

A Government report published today has revealed the cost of living has increased just as it emerges a high proportion of Irish families are saying they can't afford the basics for a minimum standard of living.

According to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the cost of living has increased by half a per cent over the last year.

The report said the biggest changes in goods and services were in education which was up 9.5%, while the cost of housing, water, electricity and energy had increased by 8.5% n last year. Communications were also up 2.9%.

The CSO also found that the cost of alcohol, clothes and footwear and household furniture, equipment and maintenance all fell.

However, on the day of publishing, a study by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice found that a high proportion of Irish families were struggling to afford the basics required for a minimum standard of living.

After examining households across the country trying to survive on the minimum wage or social welfare payments the group found that rural people were facing an exceptional struggle compared to their urban counterparts, with higher food and transport costs being the main reason.

However, despite the rising costs overall, the CSO study did find there were decreases in clothing & footwear costs, which fell by 7.4%, furnishings. Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance fell by 3.7% and alcoholic beverages and tobacco fell by 3.1%.

The annual rate of inflation for Services was 2.1% in the year to September, while Goods decreased by 1.6%.

Fine Gael's Economic Spokesman Richard Bruton said the findings suggested there was no sign of a return of confidence to the economy or in consumer spending.

"Ireland may have a public finance problem, yet the Government is far from powerless to ensure consumers get good value. But only if it gets its act together."

(DW)