January saw a surge in spending prior to the lifting of Covid restrictions

December had already seen record consumer spending

Retail spending was 3% higher in December 2021 with social spending up 28% compared to the previous year. Picture: iStock

New figures show consumer spending in Ireland had surged in January prior to the lifting of almost all covid-related restrictions.

Data on credit and debit card spending show that between January 1 and January 23, the day after the Taoiseach announced the removal of restrictions, spending was up 26%, or €1bn, compared to the same period in 2021 when the country was under a strict lockdown.