asked the Taoiseach the percentage domestic incomes in the following categories for a 12 month period to the latest convenient date: (a) wages and salaries, (b) farmers' incomes, (c) other domestic incomes and (d) industrial profits; and the number and percentage of total population covered by each category.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Domestic Incomes.
5.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report two statements, the first giving the information on incomes requested by the Deputy for 1969 and 1970, in so far as it is available, and the second showing the total number of persons at work in 1966 classified by employment status. It is not possible to state how many people are covered by each income category as some persons are recipients of more than one type of income and, in addition, some of the recipients are not in the labour force. The data relating to incomes are available only for calendar years while the particulars by employment status are available for census of population years only.
Following are the statements:—
Percentage Distribution of Domestic Income
|
Type of Income |
1969 |
1970† |
|
% |
||
|
Wages and salaries |
63.0 |
64.3 |
|
Income from self-employment and other trading income from agriculture and fishing |
15.6 |
14.8 |
|
Industrial profits |
8.1 |
20.9 |
|
Other income |
13.3 |
|
|
Total* |
100.0 |
100.0 |
† Preliminary
* Before adjustment for stock appreciation.
Numbers at work by employment status
|
Employment status |
1966† |
|
Total number of employees (incl. apprentices) |
701,993 |
|
Employers, own account workers and assisting relatives: |
|
|
Agriculture and fishing |
286,136 |
|
Other |
77,858 |
|
Total number at work |
1,065,987 |
†Census of Population, April, 1966.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that, while the farmers represent roughly 30 per cent of the population, they are getting only about 17 per cent of the total national income? Is he not aware that the gap between their income and that of other sections of the community has widened to as much as £8.50 per week now? Is the Parliamentary Secretary in favour of this continuing?
I am always anxious that people get good conditions and that they are given the best possible wage for the work they do. One is never satisfied.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary realises the farmers are responsible for between 60 and 65 per cent of our exports, that they represent 28 per cent of our population and are receiving only 17 per cent of the national income? Does he think that fair and just? Will the Parliamentary Secretary not answer?