Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons currently employed directly or indirectly in the agri-food sector; the extent to which it is expected to ensure the future of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35537/23]
View answerFarming and the agri-food sector are hugely important to our economy and our society. According to the CSO's Labour Force Survey the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employs over 101,000 people, representing 4% of total employment in the country, but a far greater proportion in rural and coastal areas. The produce of these farms, forestry and fishers directly generate a further 64,000 downstream jobs for a total of almost 165,000 people working in the agri-food sector, representing close to 7% of total employment.
Around 57% of farm holders or their spouse have an off-farm employment which is likely considered as their main employment, and therefore their work on the farm is not included in the CSO's Labour Force Survey. According to the CSO 2020 Agricultural Census, there were 278,580 family and regular non-family workers on Irish farms, indicating that many farm holders and their family members work part -time on the land in addition to their main employment. This number has actually increased from each of the two previous agriculture censuses, with 272,016 family and regular non-family workers in 2010 and 257,948 in 2000.
Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the future of the agri-food sector, includes goals to “Improve the Social Sustainability of Primary Producers”, including the critically important issue of generational renewal, and to “Attract and Nurture Diverse and Inclusive Talent”. I will continue to work closely with the sector to help ensure that there is a vibrant workforce available to ensure the sustainable development of the agri-food in Ireland, despite the challenges posed by having close to full employment.
