Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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87. To ask the Taoiseach the progress made to date on composing the next census; and his plans to update and or amend the questionnaire. [46973/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In July 2017 the Government agreed to the taking of a Census of Population in Ireland in 2021.

It is essential that census data remains relevant, up-to-date and reflective of modern Ireland. To fulfil this obligation, and as part of the preparatory phase for the census, the CSO is conducting a public consultation on the content of the 2021 questionnaire. A notice to this effect was published in the national press and on the CSO website in early October 2017 seeking submissions, and all Government departments together with public bodies and interested individuals were contacted for their input. Submissions could be made online, by email or by post.

A Census Advisory Group made up of representatives of Government departments, public bodies, universities, the social partners and CSO personnel will now consider the submissions and make recommendations on the questions to be tested in a census pilot which will be undertaken in September 2018. The purpose of the pilot is to test new questions, changes to existing questions, and new field methodology in a selection of areas across the country.

The expert group will then assess the results of the Pilot and make recommendations on the content of the Census 2021 questionnaire. This final content of the questionnaire will be submitted for Government approval in early 2019.