asked the Taoiseach if he will state separately in connection with the National Farm Survey in respect of farms of (i) 50-100 acres, (ii) 100-200 acres and (iii) over 200 acres (a) the increase in the family farm income per farm between 1956 and 1957, (b) the increase in hired labour expenses per farm, and (c) the increase per cent. in each case.

The following statement sets out of the particulars requested by the Deputy. The figures are derived from Table 2 of the Interim Report on the 1957-58 National Farm Survey, issued as a supplement to the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin for September, 1958. As stated in that report much of the increase in family farm income between 1956 and 1957 was due to the increase in inventories between the two years partly due to price changes. Further analysis has now been carried out and the statement includes particulars of the changes between the two years in family farm income adjusted to exclude the effect of the price element in cattle inventory changes. Particulars are also included of the changes in family cash income, i.e., sales less purchases, in which all inventory changes are eliminated from the accounts.

HANGES between 1956 and 1957 in family income and current hired labour expenses per farm

*Excludes the price element in cattle inventory changes.

†Sales less purchases.

‡Decrease.