Tumble dryers, microwaves and dishwashers have become more common in Irish households since the start of the decade, according to the Central Statistics Office's latest household budget survey.
The survey of almost 7,000 households, conducted between October 2004 and December 2005, also shows that almost a third had a burglar alarm, compared to fewer than a quarter five years previously, while a third also had two or more cars, up from 24 per cent in a 1999-2000 survey and just 14 per cent in 1994-1995.
Some 42 per cent of households had internet access, with 84 per cent having at least one mobile phone. These rates are likely to have increased since the survey took place.
The CSO uses the survey to adjust the basket of goods and services in the consumer price index, which is then used to measure inflation. The weightings given to different areas of spending in the consumer price index are also adjusted.
In January, the findings of the survey as well as interviews with retailers were used to remove from the index items such as pocket calculators, wallpaper borders and blank video cassettes, which were found to be no longer sought after by modern consumers.
Self-tanning products, replica sports jerseys, home cinema surround systems and coffee-makers were among the 80 new items to make their debut. With culinary tastes evolving, ready-to-eat Indian and Chinese meals, shellfish, specialised teas and cereal breakfast bars also made the cut for the first time, while half legs of pork, tinned pineapple and cooking fat were deleted.
