John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I will be as brief as possible. With regard to the areas of disability and autism, a specific census advisory sub-group was convened to consider the disability questions on the 2011 census form. This group was composed of representatives from the National Disability Authority, the Equality Authority, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. The proposal to list specific disabilities within the disability question, namely, to make specific reference to autistic spectrum disorder or Down's syndrome in the category of a learning or intellectual disability, was considered at the second meeting of the group. The group concluded it would not be appropriate nor would there be enough room on the census form to list all individual disabilities. However, in order to go some way towards accommodating the request, the existing 2006 category of a learning or intellectual disability, was split into two categories: an intellectual disability and separately, a difficulty with learning, remembering or concentrating. This was tested in the pilot survey. The group was of the view that this approach narrowed the categories and thus helped to address the issue of autism while allowing the questions to remain as inclusive as possible. The Deputy's specific question about autism was considered by that group and it has changed the wording of the 2006 census by breaking the question into two parts. The concern was that it was not possible to list a whole range of individual disabilities so the group has undertaken a pilot test of this particular wording and it is satisfied with the results. This wording will appear on the census form.

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