asked the Taoiseach if there are any statistical projections on the demographic implications of the present level of emigration coupled with a falling birth rate; if so, if he will publish such projections; and if not, if he will commission them as a matter of urgency.

There is a working group on population projections which is currently finalising its report. This will provide projections of the population classified by age and sex at five year intervals between 1991 and 2021.

The projections will take account of the most recent information available on the various factors influencing trends including the final results by age, sex and marital status from the 1986 Census of Population. It is expected that the report will be published within the next five or six weeks.