Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2008
377 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers who are also engaged in off-farm employment; and the proportion of farm incomes generated in this way. [25405/08]
View answerThe most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office are for the year 2005 and these show that there were 73,500 farmers whose sole occupation was farming or 56% of the total and 58,900 with another either major or subsidiary occupation.
Special analysis of the EU-SILC 2006 is used to estimate total farm household income and the proportion arising from farming activities. Using a broad definition of farm households (any household with an income from farming) total farm household income was estimated at €58,031 with 36% coming from farming activities, 46% from other employment, 15% from state transfers and 3% other direct income. A narrower definition of farm household (which would exclude some part-time farmers) estimates total farm household income to be €47,703 with 54% coming from farming, 27% from off-farm earnings, 17% from state transfers and 3% other sources. (The average household income for the state was €54,906).
