asked the Taoiseach the estimated increase in the cash income of farmers in 1960; if he will indicate in tabular form the principal factors contributing to the increased cash income; and if he will give corresponding information for the previous year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Income of Farmers.
4.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out for 1959 and 1960 estimates of the values of sales off farms and consumption by farm households of the principal items of agricultural produce, together with particulars of the changes between the two years. When the estimated totals of farm expenses (including feed, fertiliser, seed, hired labour and other costs) are deducted from these, the residue, which may be termed "cash income of farmers and their relatives" is estimated to have increased between 1959 and 1960 by £15.5 million.
It must be pointed out that to arrive at a total income of farmers and their relatives, related to agricultural activity in a particular year, account must also be taken of the value of changes in livestock numbers between the beginning and end of the year. The value of these changes is estimated to have been an increase of £11.0 million in 1959 and a decrease of £0.5 million in 1960, so that, as shown in the table, the resultant total income from agricultural activity rose by £4.0 million.
Following is the statement:—
ESTIMATED gross agricultural output and income of farmers and their relatives 1959-60.
|
Item |
1959 |
1960* |
Change 1959-60*+ =Increase– =Decrease |
|
£ million |
|||
|
Sales plus own consumption:— |
|||
|
Cattle and calves |
45.3 |
51.2 |
+5.9 |
|
Sheep and lambs |
8.0 |
9.5 |
+1.5 |
|
Pigs |
20.2 |
21.4 |
+1.2 |
|
Poultry |
3.8 |
4.1 |
+0.3 |
|
Horses |
2.6 |
3.5 |
+0.9 |
|
Milk |
39.0 |
44.2 |
+5.2 |
|
Eggs |
9.5 |
8.5 |
–0.9 |
|
Wheat |
9.7 |
11.1 |
+1.4 |
|
Oats |
1.4 |
1.5 |
+0.1 |
|
Barley |
5.9 |
5.8 |
–0.1 |
|
Potatoes |
8.4 |
6.1 |
–2.3 |
|
Sugar beet |
6.4 |
6.0 |
–0.4 |
|
Turf |
6.8 |
7.4 |
+0.6 |
|
Other products |
9.5 |
10.9 |
+1.4 |
|
Total sales plus own consumption (Gross Output) |
176.5 |
191.2 |
+14.7 |
|
Total expenses (including feed, fertiliser and seed, hired labour and other costs) |
87.5 |
86.7 |
–0.8 |
|
Income from Agriculture (excluding values of changes in livestock numbers) |
89.0 |
104.5 |
+15.5 |
|
Values of changes in livestock numbers |
+11.0 |
–0.5 |
–11.5 |
|
Income from Agriculture (including value of changes in livestock numbers) |
100.0 |
104.0 |
+4.0 |
* All the figures given for 1960 are preliminary estimates and are subject to revision as more adequate data become available.
Is there any place where a figure based on these calculations can be found for the years 1957 and 1958, as well? If not, is it not true that the income of farmers, on the same basis, declined by £16 million between 1957 and 1959?
Would the Deputy put down a question and he will get the facts?
I have the facts.
That is why he is afraid to put down the question.