Rónán Mullen urges debate on rural poverty statistics

The reality of poverty for rural families is often hidden from view, according to an Oireachtas member.

Senator Rónán Mullen said the issue rarely makes the headlines but its effects are devastating on communities.

“We need an urgent debate on falling farm incomes and rural poverty,” he told the Senate after describing the findings of the Teagasc National Farm Survey 2014 as shocking.

Mr Mullen said the report shows more than 25,000 farm households are classed as economically vulnerable, or not generating enough income to support the family and neither the farmer nor the spouse has an off-farm job. He said the report shows that most of the financially unviable farms are concentrated in the Connacht-Ulster border area, with up to 45% in Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon.

“The human cost is that 7,000 farm families are not making enough money to allow them to get by or to stay in business in the medium term,” he said, claiming the Government is not adequately addressing rural poverty. “In western counties such as Galway and Mayo, only 16% of farms are deemed to be financially viable in the medium term, by far the lowest in the country.”

Senator Feargal Quinn said he agreed not enough attention was being given to this area. He read recently that the US is concerned that it is currently creating jobs that will not exist in the next generation.

“An example given was that at the beginning of the 20th century, 50% of the US workforce worked in agriculture but only 2% work in agriculture now. We must ensure that when we concentrate on creating jobs that they are jobs for the long term,” he said.