Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.

The Government decided in July 2008 that a census of population will take place in 2011, as required by EU regulation, and asked the CSO to commence the necessary preparations. A public consultation was conducted in September 2008. The CSO placed a notice in the national press inviting views on the topics to be covered and on the outputs to be produced. There was also direct engagement with all Departments. More than 90 submissions were received, covering 31 topics in total.

A census advisory group was established by the CSO in autumn 2008 to consider the submissions received and advise on the questions to be tested in a pilot survey planned for April 2009. This group consisted of representatives of central and local government, the social partners, universities, research bodies and other users of census data, along with the relevant CSO personnel. The work of the group was also informed by the core topics that must be covered by all member states under the relevant EU regulation.

A specific sub-group was convened to consider the appropriate treatment of disability-related issues. This was composed of representatives from the National Disability Authority, the Equality Authority, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. One of the key issues it considered was a proposal to list specific disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorder, on the census questionnaire. The sub-group concluded that it would not be appropriate, nor would there be enough room on the census form, to list individual disabilities. It did, however, agree that the existing 2006 category, "A learning or intellectual disability", should be split into two categories: "An intellectual disability"; and separately "A difficulty with learning, remembering or concentrating".

The pilot survey was held on Sunday, 19 April 2009. Its main purpose was to test public reaction to the wording of a number of new questions, including successful testing of the revised approach to the questions on disability. The sample consisted of 11,400 households, covering 32 enumeration areas spread throughout the country.

In December the Government agreed on the list of topics to be included in the next census questionnaire in line with the advice of the CSO and the census advisory group. This list of topics is available on the CSO website, along with the report of the census pilot survey conducted in April last. The Government also agreed that census day will be Sunday, 10 April 2011.

Greater use of statistical information to underpin evidence-based policies is a key goal across all areas of public service delivery. It is a matter for each Minister and Department to prioritise their data needs in this regard, building on the core demographic information established by the national census of population.

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