Young people pay the highest price in rip-off Ireland

OUR young people are key targets of rip-off Ireland, a new consumer survey confirms.

Mobile phone charges, cups of coffee, and music CDs all cost more here than in any EU country, says Young Fine Gael (YFG).

People between 18 and 30 - an age group with considerable spending power - are major consumers of these goods and services.

For high users of mobile phones, Ireland ranks 13th dearest of 15 EU states. Ireland is 9th dearest for low mobile phone users.

The cheapest music CDs here cost €19.99 but the average cost is typically €22. In Paris the average is €19 and €17.89 in London.

A cup of coffee costs €2.87 on average in a Dublin cafe. It’s €2.58 in London, €2.27 in Rome and just €2.18 in Paris.

We also pay more for phone land lines. A month’s rental in Ireland costs €18.15, compared with London’s €15.90 and €13 in Paris.

The average Irish weekly grocery basket costs 144% of the EU average.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Dublin city centre is almost €300 dearer than in Barcelona.

YFG vice-president Elizabeth Munnelly will present the survey results at the party’s annual summer school in Wexford this weekend.

The survey shows Ireland leading the European league table of youth rip-off, she said last night.

“Our survey paints the picture of a rip-off culture that is spiralling out of control in this country,” said Ms Munnelly. “Ireland is expensive in all sectors of consumer activity.

“With the introduction of the single European currency and the widespread growth in travel across the Eurozone, young people can see precisely how this country is a rip-off nation,” she added.

A damning report published last September confirmed Ireland’s reputation as Europe’s rip-off capital.

It showed we paid the most in the EU for food, beverages, tobacco and rented accommodation.