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.
Vol. 404 No. 2
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.
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 |
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.