Irish consumer sentiment surges to 17-year high

DUBLIN, Feb 12 (Reuters): Irish consumer sentiment surged to a 17-year high in January, suggesting consumers are starting to feel the benefits of an improving economy, a survey showed on Monday.

Ireland's economy has posted the fastest growth in Europe since 2014 and unemployment has fallen rapidly, but the recovery has been uneven for some consumers with only modest gains in purchasing power.

The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI consumer sentiment index shot up

to 110.4 in January from 103.2 in December, the highest level since February 2001, which the survey's authors said pointed to an easing in the strains on household finances.