asked the Taoiseach if he will state the estimated net migration for the years 1949, 1950 and 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Migration Figures.
The estimated net migration for the year 1949 was 34,000 and for 1950 was 41,000. These estimates, in so far as they relate to migration to Great Britain and the Six Counties, were based on the passenger card sample inquiry in conjunction with global statistics of passenger movement into and out of the State, classified by origin of journey. As explained in the article—Statistics of Emigration and Passenger Movement—published in the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin, June, 1951, pp. 76-84, which set out the methods by which these figures were derived, such estimates are subject to substantial sampling errors. It was, however, possible to relate the total of net emigration for the intercensal period 1946-51, as derived from the censuses of population and birth and death statistics, to the separately computed figures for the individual years, and in view of the concordance between the totals it may be considered that the figures for the individual years 1949 and 1950 are reasonably reliable.
As regards 1951, the formal application of the methods described in the basic article gave, in the analysis of the passenger movement for that year, results which were internally inconsistent, e.g., the numbers estimated on an inward journey as coming on a visit are markedly at variance with the estimated number on an outward journey stated to be returning from a visit. In view of these results and since no independent check is available, for reasons which I stated in my replies of 1st May and 26th June, 1952, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of net emigration for the year 1951.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the advisability and the possibility of devising some system whereby it would be possible to ascertain yearly emigration and migration?
That is being considered by the Statistics section of the Department.