Irish workers take average 33 minute lunch

Irish workers on average take only 33 minutes lunch break each day, a survey has found.

The Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004 shows that the average lunchbreak of workers in the Republic is 35 minutes - a four minute drop since 2002 - while workers in Northern Ireland take an average of 31 minutes, compared 36 minutes in 2002. In Britain, the average lunchbreak remains at an all-time low of 27 minutes.

Four out of five Irish workers take a daily lunchbreak while just over half do so in Britain, according to the survey. The survey was commissioned by catering company Eurest.

Workers in the Republic of Ireland generally spend more money on their lunch. The average spend in the Republic was €4, which is 62c more than in 2002. In Northern Ireland the average lunchtime spend for 2004 is €3.40.

The survey's findings show increasingly health-conscious workers swapping hearty midday meals for lighter options such as soup, fruit and salad. In the Republic 51 per cent of workers say they choose a healthy option.

Sandwiches are the lunchtime choice for two out of three Irish workers. In the Republic soup is second choice, while fruit is the second choice in Northern Ireland. Salad is the third place choice for both. Tea is the number one drink, with 64 per cent in the Republic and 44 per cent in the North choosing it.