Offaly communicants get €443 on average

Children who make their First Holy Communion in Offaly stand to make an average of €443 according to new research by Ulster Bank. Though impressive, this figure is actually below the national average, which stands at €468 per child. Average Communion takings have fallen by 18% over the last two years, from a high of €574 per child. Almost 60,000 children across the country made this Communion this year, putting a massive €27.9 million worth of spending power in the hands of young communicants. The same group have a combined estimated €13.3 million in savings accounts or piggy banks. Key findings this year showed child savings from Communion money is up one third, with each child saving an average of €225 of their Communion money. Children making their Communion in Dublin made the most money, with an average of €533. Communion outfits cost €213 on average, a figure that shows a drop of 33% from the previous two years. Aunts and uncles are where the cash is, with one third of all money received by communicants coming from them. Bouncy castles remain the number one entertainment choice, though the amount spent on entertainment is down 26% on the last two years.