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Taoiseach Michael Martin has outlined changes in Census 2022 which will be held on Sunday April 3rd. A new feature of the form will be a time capsule whereby those filling the forms will be able to write a message or observation to their descendants.
The forms will be sealed and will not be available for public viewing for 100 years.
Speaking at the launch, director general of the CSO Pádraig Dalton said more than two million forms would be distributed to Irish households to be filled out on that night.
Mr Dalton said there were eight new questions in the Census including on renewable energy sources, internet access, smoking, volunteering and working from home.
He said that 25 of the existing questions had also been changed.
He said that some of the questions such as “working from home” and also the impacts of long-term illnesses would capture, to some degree, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland over the past two years.
Living conditions
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has said that this year’s census will generate a detailed picture of social and living conditions in Ireland. A team of 5,100 enumerators has commenced the process of delivering forms to every household in the country. These forms must be completed on census night and will be collected by an enumerator before May 6th. Everyone present in Ireland on April 3rd must be included on a census form.
Mr Martin said: “The census, by counting every single person present in Ireland, provides a uniquely comprehensive account of our population.
“It is far more than a simple counting exercise, the census asks a variety of questions that give us the information that is vital for the planning of public services. There is not a single decision taken, on the provision of public services from health to education and housing, that is not shaped in some way by census data.
“By actively participating in the census people are supporting their communities, ensuring policy decisions are made with an accurate view of each community’s needs.
“The census also provides a valuable historic record for future generations to study. As we mark the Decade of Centenaries, and examine the progress we have made as a nation, it will be fascinating to see what Census 2022 tells us about our country”.
Eileen Murphy, Head of Census Administration provided practical advice to people preparing for Census 2022. “An enumerator will call to your home in the coming days or weeks to deliver your census form. They will be wearing easily identifiable clothing and carry a census ID badge. Please support the census by facilitating your form’s delivery.
“When your census form arrives keep it in a safe place to fill it out on the evening of April 3rd. Please read the instructions carefully, fill it out in a blue or black pen. If you have any questions your enumerator can help.”
Census forms are available in Irish and English while guides are also available in another 22 languages to assist those for whom Irish or English is not a first language.