Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 5

Written Answers. - Agricultural Employment.

Peter Barry

Question:

231 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether there will be a stabilisation of employment in agriculture, following the losses in the industry in recent years; and whether jobs can be found in agriculture to maintain the present level up to the year 2000; if it is realistic to expect an increase in employment on present levels by that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

In common with our European partners Ireland has seen a long term decline in the number of people employed in agriculture. The table shows that the decline in this country has not been as severe as elsewhere and that the number currently working in agriculture in Ireland remains high by European Community standards.

	1960	1970	1980	1990
Ireland
No. 000s	390	283	209	167
% civilian employment	37.3	27.1	18.3	15.0
UK
No. 000s	1,134	792	654	569
% civilian employment	4.8	3.2	2.6	2.2
Italy
No. 000s	6,611	3,878	2,899	1,895
% civilian employment	32.6	20.2	14.3	9.0
Denmark
No. 000s	362	266	200	158
% civilian employment	18.2	11.5	8.1	6.0

Although some downward trend in agricultural employment is likely to continue, this need not be the case as regards rural employment generally. With the help of various schemes operated by the European Community, the Government is endeavouring to facilitate the creation of a vibrant rural community giving those who wish to live in rural areas the opportunity to have a standard of living comparable with other areas of the country.

The existence of a vibrant rural community is only possible if there are enough opportunities for work and enterprise for those living there. This does not necessarily have to be directly in agriculture and many of the rural enterprise measures are concerned with promoting alternative uses for land and finding sustainable employment for people in rural areas. These measures include providing assistance to groups and individuals for agri-tourism and the LEADER Community initiative for rural based enterprises. At the same time the Government and the European Community are helping to improve the livelihoods of those working in agriculture through such measures as the headage grants schemes and other premia.

These and other measures will help to improve the employment position in rural areas. It would be my aim to ensure that the numbers employed in those areas will be at least maintained and that standards of living will continue to improve.