Written answers
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Department of An Taoiseach
Census of Population
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 161: To ask the Taoiseach if there is a timeframe within which the final decision will be made as to the questions (details supplied) that will be included in the 2011 census. [36118/09]
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the preparatory work for the 2011 census the CSO conducted a public consultation by inviting members of the public and various interest groups to make submissions on the topics to be covered, and on the outputs to be produced. A notice to this effect was published in the national press in September 2008 seeking submissions, and all government departments were contacted for their input. This phase of the process has now concluded. A Census Advisory Group was set up in Autumn 2008 to consider the submissions received and advise on the questions to be tested in a pilot survey carried out in April 2009. The Census Advisory Group is representative of central and local government, the social partners, universities, research bodies and other users of census data along with the relevant CSO personnel.
Over 90 submissions covering 31 topics were received in total, among them submissions on the subject of disability, and in particular on the subject of autism. A specific sub-group was convened to consider the disability questions on the census form. This sub-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 downs syndrome, in the category 'A learning or intellectual disability' was considered at the second meeting of the group.
The group concluded that 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 this request, the existing (2006) category 'A learning or intellectual disability' was split into two categories 'An intellectual disability' and separately 'A difficulty with learning, remembering or concentrating' for testing in the pilot survey. The group felt that this approach narrowed the categories and thus helped address the issue of autism, while allowing the question to remain as inclusive as possible.
The new wording of the disability questions which were tested in the Census Pilot Survey in April 2009 were as follows:
14 Do you have any of the following long -lasting conditions or difficulties?
| 1 | 2 |
| a) blindness or a serious vision impairment | yes no |
| b) deafness or a serious hearing impairment | yes no |
| c) A difficulty with basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs,reaching, lifting or carrying | yes no |
| d) An intellectual disability | yes no |
| e) A difficulty with learning remembering or concentrating | yes no |
| f) A psychological or emotional condition | yes no |
| g) A difficulty with pain, breathing, or any other chronic illness or condition | yes no |
15 If 'Yes' to any of the categoriesspecified in Question 14, Do you have any difficulty indoing any of the following
| 1 | 2 |
| a) Dressing, bathing or getting around inside the home | yes no |
| b) Going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctors surgery | yes no |
| c) Working at a job or business, orattending school or college | yes no |
| d) Participating in other Activities, for exampleleisure or using transport | yes no |
The CSO, in consultation with the Census Advisory Group, is currently finalising its analysis of the results of the census pilot, including the revised questions on disability. It is important to bear in mind that only questions that have been tested and have been proven to have worked will be considered for inclusion in the 2011 census. It is envisaged that the Census Advisory Group will have concluded its deliberations before the end of October and that a proposal in relation to the content of the 2011 census questionnaire will be brought to Government before the end of 2009.
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