Limerick's Spending Power

Apparently we have more spending power than anywhere else outside Dublin...

Cash-rich Dubs put not-so-fat Cats into the shade


WHILE they might bemoan the cost of living in the capital, Dubliners have emerged as those with the most cash to spend in their spare time.

Those with the least in their pockets are not from the supposedly poor west, but the citizens of Kilkenny.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office say the average Dub has €4,500 more to spend each year than the average Cat.

Disposable income is earnings plus benefits, less deductions of tax and PRSI. Although Kilkenny folk may have the least amount to spend, they make almost €300 more a year than the lowest earners, people in Co Donegal.

If this seems strange, it is because the value of a house is included in the definition of income. Earnings in the eastern region are boosted by high property prices.

A breakdown of the figures showed that Dubliners got 7pc of their income from the value of property, and 15pc from state benefits. This compared with 4.5pc from property and 19pc from benefits in the south-east.

Dubliners paid out 20pc of their income in taxes, compared with 17pc to 18pc in the other regions.

The figures show average disposable income per person - man, woman and child - at almost €18,800 in 2004, the latest year for which data is available.

The Dublin figure of €20,988 was 11.8pc more than the national average, while Co Kilkenny's €16,369 was 14.7pc below average.

Income

However, individual county figures are subject to significant error. A more reliable guide is those for regions. These show disposable income of €18,828 in the mid-west region, €18,427 in the mid-east, €18,301 in the south-west, €17,852 in the west, €17,328 in the Border area, €17,280 in the midlands and €17,126 in the south-east.

On average, Dubliners had a total income of €26,229 in 2004, which includes the rent theoretically earned from a house. Countrywide, the average person earned €23,221, with a disposable income of €18,781. The other counties with the lowest disposable income were Wexford, Carlow, Kerry, Offaly, Roscommon and Donegal. Apart from the capital, those with the biggest spending power are in Limerick and Cork, at €19,500 and €18,869. Co Kildare is also ranked above average but, at €19,295 per person, it was beaten by Limerick into third place.

Shane Hickey