Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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386. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers wholly or partly engaged in poultry production in the State; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52569/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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According to the preliminary results of the 2020 Census of Agriculture, carried out by the CSO, there were 6,049 farms engaged in poultry farming in the State in 2020 (most recent figures available). 

A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public.  In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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387. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers wholly or partly engaged in pig production in the State in each of the years since 2016; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52570/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The figures below relate to the number of Pig Farms who were required to participate in the Annual Pig survey, carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), who collect data on pig numbers within the State, held by specialised producers.  The data is collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No.1165/2008.

No. of Specialised 

pig farms

Pig Survey June 2022345 

Pig Survey June 2021352 

Pig Survey June 2020287 

Pig Survey June 2019289 

Pig Survey June 2018275 

Pig Survey June 2017279 

Pig Survey June 2016323

A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public.  In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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388. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of number of persons who have left full-time farming since 1997; his views on whether this represents progress; his views on the decline in the number of full-time farmers; the steps that he is taking to counter the decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52571/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out a census of agriculture every ten years, with the last census held in 2020. The census provides data on the number of family farm holders who regard farming as their 'sole', 'major' or 'subsidiary' occupation.

Since the census held in 2000, the number of family farm holders who indicate that farming is their sole occupation or major occupation has changed from 98,366 to 96,153, a drop of 2,213 farm holders or 2.2%. A larger decrease is in those indicating farm work as a subsidiary occupation, dropping by 8,913 or 21% over the 20-year period.

Over the same period the total number of family farms dropped by 11,126 or 7.9%. During this time the number of non-family farms has increased from 185 in 2000 to 4,821 farms in 2020, resulting in the total number of farm holdings dropping by 6,490 or 4.6%, from 141,527 to 135,037.

Non-Family Farms are mostly comprised of commercial farms which pay all their workers as employees, including management, or farms connected with institutions such as schools, colleges, etc. If one person from each non-family farm holdings is included, then the number of those whose sole or major occupation is farm work would be 100,974 in 2020, which is 2,423 higher (or 2.5%) than in 2000.

Table1. CSO Census - Significance of Farm work on Family Farms 2000, 2010 and 2020

Generational renewal is critical to the future of the agri-food sector and one of my priorities. National taxation measures to assist succession and land mobility, together with the support available under the CAP, such as the Young Farmers Scheme, the National Reserve Scheme and the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, represent a substantial commitment to young farmers.

In the Budget for 2023, I announced the highest-ever level of funding for the Department, a 13% increase overall, and I will continue to deliver the appropriate level of support, including working with my colleagues on business supports for farmers, fishers and food & drink businesses.

I also look forward to working with the sector in delivering on our shared strategy, Food Vision 2030, and its ambition of being “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”, in the decade ahead.