Written answers

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Central Statistics Office Data

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average travel distance for journeys to work or education in each year since 1992. [16927/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The figures for the average travel distance travelled to work or education are primarily determined using Census Data and National Travel Survey data that is compiled on a periodic basis by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO have published several reports on commuting to work and education over the period in question based on Census data, including the presentation of statistics on average distances travelled, and these reports may be found on the CSO’s website (www.cso.ie). Over the period covered by the Deputy’s request, Census data on average distance travelled to work or education was compiled in 1996, 2002 and 2006, based on a question which asks citizens to supply an estimate of their usual distance travelled to work, school or college. In 2011 and 2016, this question was not asked in the Census.

The following table sets out the average distance travelled to work or education for the 1991–2006 period.

Average distance travelled (in km) by workers, school children and students, usually resident and present in the State on Census Night, at each Census since 1991

1991199620022006
Children at school aged between 5 and 12 years3.383.543.993.98
Students at school or college aged between 13 and 18 years7.087.417.977.63
Students at school or college aged 19 years and over10.8612.3013.2112.93
Population aged 15 years and over at work11.1312.3615.8415.82

Source: CSO Census data.

For the remaining years of period under consideration in the Deputy’s request, the National Travel Survey, also carried out by the CSO, provides estimated distance travelled for 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. In contrast to Census data, the survey is only administered to persons aged 18 years and over. For this reason and due to the survey’s reduced total sample size and the methodology used in collating the survey, caution should be used when interpreting NTS results or when comparing them to other data such as Census data, especially if extrapolating them to annualised results.

The following table sets out the average distance travelled to work or education for the 2012–2016 period, as determined from National Travel Survey data.

National Travel Survey data for average distance travelled (in km) to work or education by persons aged 18 years and over.

2012201320142016
Work17.917.416.518.0
Education11.011.811.79.0

Source: CSO National Travel Survey data.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the CSO are currently preparing, with input from my Department, another iteration of the National Travel Survey in Q4 2019, with publication of results expected in 2020.

Noting that the National Transport Authority commissioned a Household Travel Survey in 2012 and 2017, I have referred your question to the National Transport Authority. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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