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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Dec 1990

Vol. 404 No. 2

Written Answers. - Family Farm Statistics.

Tom Enright

Question:

40 Mr. Enright asked the Taoiseach the numbers of people engaged in agriculture on family farms in Ireland as at (a) 31 December 1989, (b) 31 December 1979, (c) 31 December 1969 and (d) 31 December 1959.

Tom Enright

Question:

41 Mr. Enright asked the Taoiseach the number of people engaged in agriculture on family farms in Ireland as at the latest available date.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together. The precise information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The census of population, conducted every five years, and the annual labour force survey provide information on the numbers of persons who indicated that their principal occupation involved working on farms. Persons engaging in farming on a subsidiary or part-time basis are not included. No distinction is made between family-run and other farms; however, the number of non-family farms is very small.

The available information is given in the following table:

Number of persons whose principal occupation involved working on farms(1)

1961

371,316

1971

266,316

1981

182,436

1989

157,200

Sources: Census of population 1961, 1971 and 1981; labour force survey 1989.
(1) Includes farmers, their relatives assisting on the farm and farm employees.

Tom Enright

Question:

42 Mr. Enright asked the Taoiseach the number of family farms in Ireland.

According to the 1987 farm structure survey, there were an estimated 215,600 family farms where the area farmed was one hectare or more. This total included farms where the principal occupation of the owner was not farming.

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