The precise information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. The CSO Farm Structure Survey collects data on the farm workforce and relevant data are available since 1980. Farmers are asked to classify whether farmwork is their sole occupation, major occupation or subsidiary occupation.
I propose to circulate two tables in the Official Report. The first table shows the number of full-time and part-time farmers in 1980, 1991 and 1995. The table shows that in 1995 there were 152,909 farmers in the State, 101,145 of which were full-time and 51,763 part-time. In this table, farmers who indicated that farmwork was their sole occupation have been classified as full-time farmers, while those who indicated that farmwork was their major or subsidiary occupation have been treated as part-time farmers. It should also be noted that someone who indicates that farming is the sole occupation may not be fully occupied throughout the year.
The total number of farmers shown in the first table is classified by age group in the second table, although the precise categories requested by the Deputy are not available for the years in question.
Table A: Number of full-time and part-time farmers
Year
|
Total
|
Full-time
|
Part-time
|
1980
|
222,655
|
163,390
|
59,265
|
1991
|
169,893
|
124,746
|
45,147
|
1995
|
152,909
|
101,145
|
51,763
|
Table B: Age Classification of Farmers
Year
|
Total
|
Under 35
|
35-44
|
45-54
|
55-64
|
65 and over
|
1980
|
222,655
|
17,079
|
38,873
|
57,797
|
60,909
|
47,997
|
1991
|
169,893
|
22,447
|
33,752
|
37,013
|
38,030
|
38,651
|
1995
|
152,909
|
20,878
|
29,754
|
34,480
|
35,291
|
32,504
|