asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when it is proposed to publish further sections of the report of the census of population which was taken early in 1946 and whether he can indicate when the complete report is likely to be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Census of Population.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when the main volumes of the census of population, 1946, will be published, and if he will take steps to expedite publication.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
The census of population was taken on 12th May, 1946, and a preliminary report, giving provisional figures for the principal divisions of the country was published in February, 1947. As at the censuses of 1926 and 1936, the definitive report will be published in volumes, one for each subject—areas, occupations, industries, ages and conjugal conditions, etc. It is expected that the tables for the first of the subject volumes—Volume 1 (areas)—will be sent for printing in October next and may be issued some months later. Further volumes will be issued at intervals, and it is anticipated that the compilation work will have been completed by the early months of 1951 and publication completed later in that year.
These statistics are of reduced value when their publication is delayed. I would ask the Minister whether it is not possible to expedite the publication of the final reports.
I agree entirely with the Deputy that it is undesirable that there should be any avoidable delay in this matter, but the Deputy is aware of the difficulties that there are. I can assure the House there will be no avoidable delay and that every step that can be taken to expedite the publication of these volumes will be taken.