Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 162: To ask the Taoiseach if it is possible to make further amendments to the 2011 census document (details supplied). [4615/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in the House last week, the Government agreed in December last on the topics to be covered in the next census of population, in line with the advice of the Census Advisory Group. The Government also agreed that Census Day will be Sunday, 10 April 2011.

This followed comprehensive public consultation by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), and careful evaluation by the Census Advisory Group of the results of the Census Pilot Survey carried out in April 2009, including a specific focus on ensuring an appropriately balanced approach to the questions on disability-related issues. The final list of topics and the report of the Census Pilot Survey are available on the CSO website.

Successful delivery of the national census of population is a significant undertaking for which responsibility rests with the CSO, not least insofar as methodological issues are concerned. The carefully designed fieldwork that is necessary to test new questions means that it is not possible to consider amendments at this stage.

I am advised by the CSO that the content and layout of the census form have now been finalised. The contracted printer is scheduled to commence printing the 2 million English language household forms next month for delivery to the CSO warehouse between June and August 2010. Any disruption of these arrangements would compromise census preparations as well as giving rise to financial penalties.