Departmental Surveys.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 June 2006

Wednesday, 14 June 2006

Ceisteanna (71)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

93 Mr. Kehoe asked the Taoiseach the number of full-time farmers in Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23032/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Kitt)

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Farm Structure Survey provides regional estimates and the following table shows figures for the South East region in June 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2003 (the latest year currently available).

Number of farms in the South East region — June 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2003

Year	Farm work is sole occupation of farm owner	Farm work is not sole occupation of farm owner	Total
1995	13,700	5,600	19,200
1997	13,400	5,200	18,600
2000*	10,500	6,400	16,900
2003	10,000	5,900	15,900

*June 2000 Census of Agriculture figure.

The South East region comprises counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary S.R., Wexford, Waterford County and Waterford County Borough. Figures at county level are available from the 2000 Census of Agriculture. There were 4,600 farms in county Wexford in June 2000; on 2,900 of these, farm work was the owner's sole occupation.