THE PRICE gap between Dublin and the rest of the country is narrowing but residents of the capital still pay 4.4 per cent more for their goods and services, according to the latest price comparison by the CSO.
This represents a small narrowing of the gap since the last survey in November 2008, which showed a gap of almost 4.5 per cent, but there are still large differences between the prices of some goods and services.
Men in Dublin have to pay almost 48 per cent more for a wash, cut and blow-dry than their provincial counterparts, for example, and almost 20 per cent more for a dry cut. Women pay 23 per cent more for a wash, cut and blow dry in Dublin.
An Irish breakfast can be a costly experience in the capital, with best back rashers costing 24 per cent more in Dublin compared to the rest of the State.
Business group Dublin Chamber welcomed the improvement in competitiveness but said recent rates and charges increases by Dublin’s local councils were a barrier to price equality.
Alcohol is the category showing the largest margins across most products; a pint of draught lager is 12 per cent dearer in Dublin, draught cider costs almost 11 per cent more and a small bottle of wine is 5.1 per cent dearer.
On average, Dublin pubs and hotels charge 8.3 per cent more than licensed premises outside the city. In contrast, average prices for take-home drink are broadly the same.
Going to the cinema costs 11.4 per cent more in Dublin than in other cities or towns.
Of the 79 items included in the analysis, average prices were higher in Dublin for 51 items.
Prices for meat, and fruit and vegetables, are generally higher in Dublin, but fish, tobacco and many food and soft drink prices were generally comparable. Petrol was 2.1 per cent dearer in Dublin.
