Prices up to 50% higher in Dublin, finds survey

DUBLINERS are paying significantly more for haircuts, rashers and lager, but self-raising flour, ham fillets and sirloin steaks are cheaper in the capital than the rest of the country.

Figures show that on average, the prices of 51 items out of 79 were higher in Dublin than in the rest of Ireland, with the differences ranging from 50% extra to 16.3% less.

At €27.82, a wash, cut and blow-dry cost on average 50% more in Dublin for men and 25% for women at €45.78. The price of rashers was 37% dearer in the capital, while a pint of lager at €4.85 cost 12.5% more.

The figures, from the Central Statistics Office, show the price difference between Dublin and the rest of the country has dropped 0.4% over the past six months, bringing the price difference to 4.5%. When pub prices are excluded the variation drops to 1.6%.

Prices in Dublin pubs were 9.4% higher than outside the capital.

The greatest difference was for a pint of lager, where the average price was 12.5% higher in Dublin.

A pint of stout, at €4.35, was almost 10% higher, while a single measure of vodka, at €4.05 in Dublin, was 8.1% more expensive than the rest of the country.

A trip to the cinema was 10.5% more in Dublin, while cigarettes prices were 0.1% higher.

Nine of the 10 fruit and vegetable items were more expensive in Dublin than in the rest of the country. The differences ranged from mushrooms being 10.2% more expensive to grapes, which were 3.8% cheaper.

Chief executive of Dublin Chamber, Gina Quinn, blamed the high Dublin prices on local authority charges and rents.

“Tight competition helps to drive down the difference in prices but so long as Dublin businesses face higher business costs they will continue,” she said.

The survey, which was carried out in May last year found items such as milk, cheese, bread and sugar were cheaper in Dublin.

Diesel, however, was 0.7% higher in Dublin while petrol was 0.1% higher.

Average diesel prices were €1.13 per litre in Dublin compared to €1.12 outside.

The average petrol price in Dublin was €1.116 per litre compared with €1.115 outside.

PRICE GUIDE: Two-tier averages

* Spaghetti: Dublin: €1.20 Rest of country: €1.28 Difference: -6.5%.

* Pint of cider: Dublin: €4.96 Rest of country: €4.45 Difference: 11.4%.

* Cinema ticket: Dublin: €9.25 Rest of country: €8.37 Difference: 10.5%.

* Sirloin steak: Dublin: €14.46 Rest of country: €16.04 Difference: -9.9%.

* Tinned tomatoes: Dublin: 88c Rest of country: 80c Difference: 10%.