Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Export Statistics.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

4 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Taoiseach the percentage volume of exports and the percentage value of exports to Britain, Europe and other areas; and the estimated percentage of the workforce involved in the production of exports to each of these areas. [12985/95]

The Taoiseach

Indices of the volume of trade are available only at the level of total trade and not for individual areas. The percentage breakdown of the value of exports by destination in 1994 was as follows:

Great Britain	24%
Northern Ireland	3%
Other EU	41%
Other Areas	29%
Unclassified	3%

There are no statistics available which allow a comprehensive linkage to be drawn between exports and the level of employment. Crude estimates can be derived from the Census of Industrial Production in respect of industrial firms engaged in manufacturing for export. The most recent information relates to 1991 when it is estimated that a total of 103,000 persons were directly employed in export manufacturing: this total may be allocated between the main markets as follows:

Great Britain and Northern Ireland	36,000
Other EU	43,000
Other Areas	25,000

These figures do not include any estimates for indirect export employment. For example, farmers involved in milk production are not taken into account in calculating the employment content of dairy exports.