Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 5

Written Answers. - Depopulation of Rural Ireland.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

46 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the total number of people leaving the land each year since 1987; and if he will outline the policy changes which he will make to redress the depopulation of rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The following figures from the Labour Force Survey indicate the numbers employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing: 1987, 164,000; 1988, 166,000; 1989, 163,000; 1990, 167,000; 1991, 155,000.

As employment in forestry and fishing account for only a small proportion of the total number of jobs, the variations in the figures may be taken as relating to changes in the numbers engaged in agriculture. The Labour Force Survey is a self-classification of activity and many of those in the reported drop of 12,000 between 1990 and 1991 could still be engaged in agriculture but may be classifying themselves as having another activity as a principal occupation.

The objective of my Department is to promote the agriculture and food industry and to stimulate wider rural development. All the Department's activities including participation in the EC decision making process and the implementation of EC schemes and programmes have, therefore, as one of their aims the issue of stabilising the rural population.

There are a number of specific measures supported by the Structural Funds particularly aimed at stimulating rural development. The principal one is the operational programme for rural development which complements all the other operational programme under the funds. This programme contains a number of measures aimed at farm diversification which include animal production, horticulture, agri-tourism, forestry and services in rural areas. Other actions covered by the programme concern measures in support of small and community enterprise, rural infrastructure, research and development and marketing in the food industry and training. In all, public funding of over £100 million is available for the programme in the period 1991 to 1993.

The Leader programme is the EC's own initiative on rural development. As already announced, 16 Irish groups will receive national and EC aid totalling £35 million to implement their own business plans over the next two years.

In addition the new national structure for promoting rural development which should be in place before the end of the summer will be a further significant step in promoting local "bottom-up" initiative and in stabilising the rural population.