Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I tabled the question because I read recently about a survey conducted in the Minister's county regarding how it had reacted to changes in the economy and agriculture in particular. It was alarming that the majority of farms generated less than €10,000 per annum except in the Clarinbridge area where the figure was higher. The majority of men in the county are unskilled whereas women are more involved in professions such as nursing and teaching. Is it not important that there is an upskilling of the male population in these areas because, according to the survey, approximately half the farms are passing on to an heir? There are fundamental structural problems. While the working population in these areas has increased, which is to be welcomed, the imbalance in the range of skills vis-À-vis gender is an important issue that must be addressed.

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