(Limerick West) asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate in respect of a recent 12-month period, the percentage drop in the numbers of people engaged in agriculture in this country compared with the immediately preceding 12-month period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Numbers Engaged in Agriculture.
1.
Dún Laoghaire): The estimated number of persons at work in agriculture at mid-April 1983, 1984 and 1985 — the latest year for which estimates are available — are 189,000, 181,000 and 169,000 respectively. These figures represent declines of 4.2 per cent between 1983 and 1984 and 6.6 per cent between 1984 and 1985.
(Limerick West): Is the decline in those engaged in agriculture due to lack of commitment by this Government towards agriculture?
That is a policy matter. The question is a statistical question.