Night out in Dublin 'most expensive in country'

Socialising in Dublin is much more expensive than in other parts of the country, new research confirmed today.

Pub prices in Dublin are an average 5% higher, while the cost of going to the cinema is almost 20% greater in the capital.

Tobacco prices were found to be slightly higher in Dublin, while the cost of preparing to go out is also more expensive with a ladies wash, cut & blow dry likely to cost over 15% more in the capital.

The Central Statistics Office survey found the average cost of alcohol in bars was consistently higher in Dublin with all but one item showing average prices more than 5% higher.

The greatest difference was for a half-pint of lager where average prices in Dublin were 13.4% higher.

Cinema entrance was found to be 18.7% higher in Dublin and ladies wash, cut & blow dry was 15.2% more expensive in the capital.

The CSO survey revealed prices in Dublin are higher on 60% of a range of consumer items compared.

It found 44 items were more expensive and 29 of a total of 73 items were cheaper.

Food prices, including meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, were found to be generally higher in Dublin.

The cost of meat was higher in Dublin by up to 12.3% in the case of roast loin of pork.

Higher average prices were shown in Dublin for three of the five fish products included in the analysis.

The differences ranged from 8.5% higher for salmon steak to 11.8% lower for fillets of whiting.

It was cheaper in Dublin for bananas and tomatoes but more expensive for other fruit and vegetables, ranging from 1% more expensive for carrots up to 20.3% more expensive for grapes.

Other food and non-alcoholic beverages prices were found to be generally cheaper in Dublin.

For alcoholic beverages, the comparison varied greatly between take home drink and drinks consumed on a licensed premises.

Average off-licence prices were generally comparable with 3% or less difference between Dublin and outside Dublin for most items.

Petrol prices were slightly lower in Dublin.

On average, prices were 3.2% higher in Dublin for the items included in the analysis but the gap is closing.

The current level compares to 4.2% in May 2004 and 3.6% in November 2004. When drinks out are excluded from the comparison the difference falls to an average of 0.3% higher in Dublin (as compared to 0.9% in May 2004 and 0.5% in November 2004).