Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputies raised a number of queries, which I will revert to after making my closing remarks. If I do not respond to an issue, I will have my officials reply directly to the Deputies who raised them.

I thank the Deputies for their participation in this debate. I also commend the staff of the CSO on the valuable work undertaken to produce high-quality and independent statistics across a range of economic and social indicators. As the House will be aware, this year the census took place on 24 April. It is right that we acknowledge the significance of the census and the data that it provides. The census is the CSO's largest and best known project and census 2016 will provide a wealth of valuable data on life in Ireland today. While the full suite of census results for 2016 will be published in the course of 2017, preliminary results are expected to be made available this July, approximately 12 weeks after census day. It is intended to publish the census small area statistics online and make the census figures available in the form of online maps. Throughout these reports, the CSO will provide more interpretation, analysis and illustration of the census results. All of the results will be available online at www.cso.ie.

In addition to the census, the CSO produces a wide range of statistics, including short-term economic indicators and statistics on industry, services, agriculture, the national accounts, trade and balance of payments, the labour force and social statistics. A key challenge is to meet the demand for regular statistics while reducing costs, improving business processes and reducing the burden on survey respondents.

The CSO issues approximately 300 releases and publications each year. These include the regular monthly and quarterly statistics on the economy and society, for example, the consumer price index, the retail sales index, industrial and service sector production, the quarterly national household survey and the monthly live register.

As the House will be aware, where Estimates have not yet been approved, the so-called four fifths rule applies. As outlined in section B1.2.2. of the public financial procedures, the Central Fund (Permanent Provisions) Act 1965 authorises Departments or offices to spend up to four fifths of their budgets of the previous year. While this rule is normally sufficient where a steady state of expenditure applies, difficulties can arise if a large one-off or infrequent expenditure item occurs. In the case of the CSO, the fact that census 2016 is taking place means that the four fifths rule is insufficient to provide for expenditure already incurred and expected to arise in the coming weeks.

The CSO's Vote allocation for 2016 amounts to €82.081 million and makes provision for the costs associated with the census. As last year's budget was €52.836 million, the four fifths rule will only permit the office to spend €42.269 million in 2016 without the Vote's approval by Dáil Éireann. Increased expenditure in the early part of this year relates to the running of census 2016 and includes approximately €10 million as a final payment to census enumerators scheduled for payment in June.

Deputy Fleming asked about the total cost of census 2016, which is approximately €53 million. We will have preliminary results in July. As to the enumerators, the CSO is good at using people who are on the live register, as it is aware that they would like to gain employment. There are 50 senior managers, 430 field supervisors and approximately 4,700 enumerators, with 80 temporary clerical officers in the processing centre in Swords who will process the information in the coming weeks. Enumerators are paid €100 per week before getting the rest of their payment on the week ending 24 June at the conclusion of the data collection. In the circumstances, the House is being asked to agree the CSO Estimate in order to avoid a situation where either legitimate payments must be delayed or a breach of the legislation governing expenditure occurs.

Some Deputies referred to a number of the companies involved, including Deputy Boyd Barrett. I addressed this matter in the House during the previous census. I will ensure that the Deputy gets full and detailed correspondence from the CSO on how the tendering process was done, its level of independence, etc. The same company was involved in the previous census. The Deputy raised concerns about this matter previously, so the full correspondence will be sent to his office.

Other Deputies raised the issue of the 100-year rule. I feel strongly about it, as it is important. The census is used for specific reasons. While it is great to look back on past censuses and some assert that we should release the information sooner, the 100-year rule should apply. It exists for a specific reason and should stand. Mention was made of releasing information early for 2016 but we must stick to the rule, as it exists for reasons of confidentiality.

I thank the Deputies for their thoughts and contributions.

Deputy Sean Fleming raised the issue of EUROSTAT. It has been raised at committee level on numerous occasions and there have been many hours of debate on it in the Chamber and at committee level. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the discussion on the Estimates last year owing to a personal issue and the Taoiseach took the debate on my behalf. I have no doubt that the issue of EUROSTAT will be raised if we are to believe what we are told will happen in the coming weeks, namely, the establishment of a commission on Irish Water. It would be a far better space in which to make a contribution.

See this speech in context