asked the Taoiseach how many people are at present employed in agriculture; and how many are self-employed.

The latest relevant information is that collected at the Census of Population, 1966. The total number of persons at work in agriculture, including forestry, in 1966, was 331,159. Of these, 201,708 were self-employed, 83,260 were assisting relatives and 46,191 were employees.

6.

asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of the number of people in agricultural employment in each of the age groups (a) 16 to 18 years, (b) 18 to 50 years and (c) over 50 years.

The only comprehensive particulars available of ages of persons engaged in agriculture are those derived from the censuses of population, in which the age grouping used does not correspond exactly with that required by the Deputy. The numbers recorded at the Census of Population, 1966, were as follows: