Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 8

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Joe Walsh

Ceist:

140 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the percentage of income accounted for by headage on cattle farms and sheep farms, to farmers aged 66 years and over and on farms which had an off-farm income. [19003/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

In its calculation of agricultural income the Central Statistics Office does not provide an estimate of income on a sector by sector basis. This is because many of the input costs arising on farms such as energy, maintenance, repairs, services etc. do not lend themselves to a sectoral breakdown. Age (other than that the applicant be over 18 years of age) and off-farm income are not qualifying criteria for headage payments and this information is not, therefore, recorded. In the circumstances, I am unable to provide the figures requested by the Deputy.

The following information relating to estimated headage and premia payments on cattle and sheep in 1995 may, however, be relevant:

Type of Payment	Amount
	£m
Cattle Headage	81
Sheep Headage	21
Cattle Premia	389
Ewe Premia	109.5
Extensification Scheme	59.7

In its advance estimate of agricultural output, input and income the CSO estimated total output of cattle and calves in 1995 as £1,289.3 million with total output of sheep and lambs estimated at £154.5 million.

In addition to the official estimates on farm income produced by the CSO, Teagasc produce each year a National Farm Survey which includes detailed estimates of farm income and direct payments to farmers by farm type and additional information on demography and off-farm sources of income. I have asked Teagasc to forward to the Deputy a copy of their latest publication in this series which relates to 1994.