Vol. 519 No. 4
28 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on whether there is a lack of data in relation to total farm income and that such information is vital for policy making; the plans, if any, he has to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13754/00]
The last complete information on farm household income was that published in the CSO's household budget survey for 1994-95. Preliminary results from the latest household budget survey, conducted in 1999-2000, will not be published until 2001.
The CSO and Teagasc publish detailed information each year on income from farming, but no such annual information is published on the income received by farm households from off-farm sources. I have asked both bodies to address this important gap in the information available to us. I understand that Teagasc will include some information on income from off-farm employment in their national farm survey for 1999, which will be published this summer. I understand the CSO is also examining what information might be available from its existing sources.
