John Bruton
Ceist:8 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the proportion of the Irish population between the ages of 18 and 65 years in paid employment at the latest date for which figures are available and for ten, 20 and 30 years previously.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Numbers in Employment.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in a statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Persons at work aged 15-64 as a percentage of the relevant population in the years 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991.
|
Year |
% |
|
1961 |
56.7 |
|
1971 |
54.8 |
|
1981 |
53.7 |
|
1991 |
50.1 |
|
1992 |
50.7 |
Source: Censuses of Population 1961, 1971 and 1981 and Labour Force Surveys 1991 and 1992.
Will the Minister of State agree that Ireland has the lowest proportion of its total population in paid employment in Europe, approximately 31 per cent, and that this means, in reverse, that we have the highest dependency ratio in Europe?
I agree with the Deputy. The statistics highlight that.
Will the Minister of State agree that the matter of reducing the dependency ratio by creating a more self-reliant society and giving people an opportunity to work should be a high priority of the National Economic and Social Forum?
The Deputy's question is essentially a statistical one and, if he wishes to enter into the area of policy, he should table another question.