2005 sees price hikes in ESB, CIE, TV license charges

A number of price increases have kicked in with the start of the New Year.

Electricity has gone up by 4% for domestic customers with effect from midnight.

This comes on top of a 9% increase that was implemented last October 1.

Visits to the country’s Accident and Emergency departments are now €10 more expensive as budgetary changes take effect, bringing the charge to €55.

A government-approved 3.5% increase in CIE fares is coming into force and it will cost 30 cent more (€1.80 now) to use the West Link toll bridge on the M50 motorway.

Changes are also planned to controversial waste charges, with a pay-by-weight system coming into force during 2005.

The television license fee is going up by €3 to €155 from April 1.