asked the Taoiseach the monetary change that has taken place in all items in the consumer price index from mid-May 1977 to date.

Actual monetary price changes are available from the consumer price index only for those food items distinguished in the index where identical varieties and quantities are priced in all areas and meaningful average prices can be calculated. This information has already been provided for the period from mid-May 1977 to mid-February 1981 in the joint reply to Questions Nos. 374 and 376 on Tuesday, 31 March 1981.

Will the Minister look into the possibility of extending the range of items from food items to other items which are sufficiently specific in character to enable price information to be given in respect of them?

There are 44 already there.

All food items.

I take it they are all food items.

They are. I am asking the Minister if he will consider seeing that the range of items will be extended from food to other items sufficiently homogeneous for price data to be available.

I suppose it can be looked at.