Dáil Éireann - Volume 609 - 02 November, 2005

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

  446. Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agri[395] culture and Food the gross output from the poultry industry here; the number of farmers involved in the industry; the number of persons involved in the industry directly and indirectly in the service industry; the percentage of that industry based in Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31663/05]

  Mary Coughlan: The gross output of the poultry industry is in excess of €150 million. There are approximately 1,000 commercial poultry farms in Ireland and 40% of these farms are based in County Monaghan.

While there are no official statistics for the numbers employed directly and indirectly in the service industry, it is estimated that there would be roughly up to 6,000 people involved in the production, processing, packing and associated activities in the poultry industry.