Vol. 512 No. 6
162 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the average level of farm income in County Cork; the way in which this varies across the different agricultural sectors; the way in which this compares to the national and European averages; his views on the prospects for farm incomes in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26922/99]
Estimates of farm income are provided by the CSO – Annual Estimate of Agricultural Output, Input and Income – and by Teagasc – National Farm Survey. The CSO calculates incomes on the basis of national aggregates, and, consequently, data relating to farm incomes on a county basis is not available from that office. The national farm survey is based on sample replies across the country as a whole. Data relating to individual counties is limited and, as such, would be insufficient to provide accurate estimates.
In the circumstances, I am unable to provide figures relating to farm incomes in Cork or to make comparisons between those and other areas or regions.
