Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, detailed preparations went into the census. It was finalised prior to 2019 before we knew about Covid-19, which we have heard much about it since. Obviously, to have a robust system underpinning the questionnaire and developing the statistical framework is important. The pandemic intercepted the census last year so it was not possible to integrate questions around the pandemic specifically. We can supply census forms to the committee, which might be useful in order that members will be able to see the exact type of questionnaire. We want to get good engagement from the political system to promote the census and getting maximum participation is crucial to reflect our population. We can give the Deputy detail on that.

She asked a question on religion. There is a variety of questions. The nature in which they are set out was developed with strong project governance that was set in 2019. Now that we are going to see the issuing of those forms, we can send the committee the detail of the census forms and the nature of questions. It is in our collective interest to ensure that people engage and participate in it in a way that allows us, as policymakers, to respond to the needs of our population.