Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, together.

As the census is fundamental to planning the future of the country, it is extremely important it is conducted in a professional manner. The CSO employed a field force of close to 5,000 persons, of whom 4,400 were enumerators, to undertake a comprehensive field operation over nine weeks in April and May 2006.

Individual and household forms were available in both English and Irish and could be completed in either of the two official languages. To facilitate recent immigrants, translations of census forms were provided in 11 foreign languages: Arabic, Czech, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish. Respondents could study the language version of their choice while completing either the English or Irish language form.

The enumerated population in April 2006 amounted to 4.24 million persons, representing an increase of 323,000 persons, 8.2% compared with the April 2002 figure. The 2006 census form contained 34 questions relating to individuals which included questions on usual residence, nationality and place of birth. Of the 4.17 million usually resident persons present in the State on 23 April 2006, 420,000, 10%, had a nationality other than Irish, an increase from 224,000, 5.8%, four years earlier.

By comparing the results of successive censuses and making due allowance for the number of births and deaths which occurred in the intervening period it is possible to derive a measure of net migration, that is the difference between inward and outward migration. Between 2002 and 2006 the estimated net immigration flow was 191,000, representing a figure of 47,800 on an average annual basis. It is estimated that just over two thirds of this net inflow occurred in the two years following the accession of the ten new member states to the EU in May 2004.

On the basis of the census results, the CSO estimates between 2004 and 2006 our population increased by approximately 1.6% per annum due to migration alone. Such a rate of growth is unprecedented in our history and is also large by international standards. For example, the corresponding rate in the UK, where there was also significant immigration due to the EU accession, is estimated to have been about a quarter of the Irish level.

On the basis of this rate of net immigration, the CSO estimates the labour force grew by approximately 5% per annum in the two years before the census. This is a high growth rate by any standards and, given the strong link between migration and the labour force, a higher rate of immigration would have resulted in an implausibly high growth in employment.

On the basis of the care with which the census was undertaken and an overall assessment of the results, I am satisfied it provides an accurate measure of the level of the non-Irish national population in April 2006. Suggestions to the contrary are largely based on a misunderstanding of the difference between migrant flows and the population stock. The flow data are much higher as they include many short-term movements, both inward and outward, which do not add to the stock figures.

This issue was addressed in a statistical release issued in December 2007 entitled, Foreign Nationals: PPSN Allocations and Employment, 2002-2006. It showed just under half of the 447,200 non-Irish nationals aged 15 years and over who were allocated a PPSN between 2002 and 2005 had employment in the State in 2006, according to Revenue P35 end-of-year returns. A comparison of the published census data and the Revenue P35 data for non-Irish nationals indicates a high degree of consistency between both sources. The CSO will continue to monitor all relevant sources to ensure the accuracy of its ongoing population and migrations estimates.

I am happy with the degree of coherence between the various CSO data sources dealing with non-Irish nationals and, specifically, with the accuracy of the recent census results relating to these numbers.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I stand over the CSO's figures. Just looking at the detail and amount of preparation for the census, the CSO's staff are to be commended. They delivered questionnaires to 1.5 million dwellings. As Deputies know, there were 400 field supervisors and 4,400 enumerators. The CSO, following consultation with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, pursued a number of cases in which households refused outright to co-operate.

There are a number of key points. I know from my contacts with the CSO that it is confident that its census coverage was close to the targeted 100%, to the extent that if there was any under-enumeration of the population it would be no more than 1%, or around 40,000 persons. From the feedback received from field staff, it was considered highly unlikely that non-Irish nationals would have accounted for more than 10,000 of this conjectured under-enumeration. The amount of work was enormous. For example, the figure that emerged with regard to the Polish population on census night was 63,276. The work was detailed and required much preparation, and a large number of staff was required. I stand by the figures that were given to me. I agree it is vital that we have accurate figures for the purposes of planning.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I have not managed to speak to the Minister of State as we are all very busy, but obviously after this debate we will be having a discussion. To be fair to the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, there is the issue of migrant flows, as I mentioned in my own contribution, of which we are all conscious.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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A person can get the impression from the migrant flows that there are more Polish people, for example, in the country than there are really. I have given the factual position. The Minister of State in question, as I understand from his article, was speaking outside the Dáil about his contacts with various organisations representing immigrant bodies.

In the case of gated communities and private apartment blocks, which is, as the CSO knows from some of its other surveys, a growing phenomenon, the field supervisors contacted management companies to obtain access codes. One of the duties of the enumerators was to list in their record books every building capable of being occupied. They were all given a certain number of apartments or houses to visit, and on census night they marked each building on an up-to-date map. They also had to make contact with householders over a nine-week period in April and May, first to distribute blank census forms and then to collect the completed forms. Given the increasing complexity of Irish society, with more people at work and greater mobility, the enumerators made extensive use of calling cards in cases in which contact with householders was not easy to achieve. The CSO issued each of the enumerators with a mobile phone whose number was printed on his or her calling card to facilitate texting or telephoning by the householder to inform the enumerator of the best time to reach the householder at home. Where contact proved very difficult, the CSO allowed mailing of forms. Around 16,000 forms were posted back to the CSO. Every enumerator had a select number of houses or apartments to visit. I accept there are new issues for enumerators with regard to gated communities.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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We all have that problem in our political lives. Maybe we could learn from the census staff with regard to access to gated communities.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I made it clear at the outset that I totally stand by the CSO figures. I made the case with regard to——

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I am just suggesting that——

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, spoke based on his contacts with immigrant groups. As I mentioned, one possible explanation for what he suggested — he was not speaking in the House——

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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He was not speaking with the knowledge of the figures that I have. I suggested that his opinion was possibly based on migrant flows. I also made the point that figures released on PPS numbers showed that just under half of the 447,200 non-Irish nationals aged 15 or over who were allocated a PPS number between 2002 and 2005 had employment in the State in 2006. There is obviously an issue with regard to PPS numbers and their reflection of the number of people really working here, as we are all aware. I am bringing actual figures before the House today. As I also stated, the possible error was as little as 1%. This is shown in the extensive data that I have presented as best I can to the House. I am standing by these figures. There are no two ways about it.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague said he believed that last year's census gave a serious underestimation of certain figures. He is entitled to a view if he is speaking outside the House. I am also entitled to give——

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Naughten is being very hard on the Minister of State. He has a view about this.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I am bringing clarity to it. He is a good colleague of mine and he is entitled to express his views.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I will give a very brief answer regarding the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Conor Lenihan.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I am reminded of Salvador Dali, who said: "I will be so brief I have already finished."

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, does not wear a hat. I know that for certain.

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The best way to deal with the undocumented is through our embassies abroad. I have personal experience of it and it is a valid point in regard to the numbers, the contacts and the support network. I will raise the matter with the CSO on the Deputy's behalf.