Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which figures in relation to farm incomes over the past year compare to previous years; and the efforts he is making to grow farm incomes in the future. [23619/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In March this year the Central Statistics Office released its Preliminary Estimate of Output, Input and Income in Agriculture and this shows that aggregate farm income, or operating surplus, increased by 35% to €3,498 million in 2017. This followed an increase in aggregate farm income of 3.6% in 2016 and 2.3% in 2015.

Last week Teagasc released preliminary results of its National Farm Survey (NFS) for 2017, which showed that average family farm income was the highest on record at almost €31,400, a 32% increase on 2016. Average family farm income fell by 9% in 2016 and increased by 5% in 2015. It should be noted that there are significant differences in family farm income depending on the system of farming and the size of the farm. Average income on:

- Dairy farms increased by 65% to €86,100

- Cattle rearing farms increased by 1% to €12,700

- Cattle finishing farms decreased by 1% to €16,700

- Sheep farms increased by 8% to €16,900

- Tillage farms increased by 20% to €37,200.

Dairy farms are consistently the most profitable farms, when looked at per farm and per hectare. However it should also be noted that almost all dairy farms are classified as full-time farms in terms of the labour input required. Most cattle farms and the majority of sheep farms are classified as part-time in terms of labour input requirements. This preliminary release does not break farm income down between full and part-time farms but this will be available with the full NFS 2017 publication in the summer. The NFS for 2016 showed an average income of almost €46,600 for full-time farms and €11,100 for part-time farms on a labour input basis.

The Food Wise 2025 strategy includes actions to support farmers in improving the competitiveness and profitability of their enterprises. This includes actions aimed at helping farmers to improve productivity, manage the impact of price volatility and adopt new technologies. There are also actions to incentivise land mobility and farm restructuring. These actions and the various supports available from CAP direct payments, the Rural Development Programme and our agri-taxation system are aimed at making Irish farm enterprises more competitive and sustainable, and maximising their contribution to regional and local rural economies.

I expect specific legislative proposals on the shape of the CAP post 2020 to be published in early June. I will be working hard to ensure that these proposals are configured in a way that supports family farm incomes, the rural economy and the environment.