Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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88. To ask the Taoiseach the reasons for the ethnic and cultural categorisations currently used in the census, in view of concerns that they do not reflect the diversity of modern Ireland. [20854/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The ethnicity question on the census, which was first used in 2006, was agreed following consultation with various bodies such as the Equality Authority, Pavee Point and others.

The CSO works hard to ensure that the information collected on the census remains relevant to the changing needs of the economic and social life of the country. For the 2011 census there were two new questions and changes to eight other questions. The 2016 census on the other hand was run as a ‘no change’ census, meaning the questions on the form were the same as those used in 2011 with the exception of the question on marital status. New questions, or changes to existing questions, must be tested in advance to ensure they will provide meaningful results and be well understood by the public. However, given the budgetary circumstances that pertained during the planning phase of the 2016 census it was not possible to pursue this route and accordingly the ‘no change’ census option was implemented.

The ethnicity question, therefore, has remained unchanged since 2006.

The question has come in for criticism, by both individuals and various bodies. While information collected from the question in previous censuses has been beneficial to data users, the CSO accepts that the question as presently composed falls short of what could be expected in today’s multiracial Ireland. It is anticipated that in advance of the next census a full public consultation on the questions to be asked will be conducted, followed by a pilot test and consideration by an Expert Group. It is expected that the requirement for and formulation of the ethnicity question will be critically reviewed as part of that exercise.