asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of any sample surveys of population, unemployment and other social indicators which have been undertaken by the present Administration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sample Surveys.
4.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a statement giving the information sought.
The following are the sample surveys of population, unemployment and other social indicators which have been undertaken by the present Administration:
1. An annual urban household budget survey is conducted by the Central Statistics Office which provides information on details of household expenditure, income and so on, classified by household characteristics such as household size, social group, income and so on.
2. Ballyfermot Employment Census. This survey sprang from a proposal made by the employment action team for the employment of young people on survey work, following discussions between the Team and Ballyfermot Employment Action Group. The survey is aimed at producing data mainly on population, employment and unemployment, occupations, education and previous work experience for Ballyfermot.
The survey work was carried out in April-May 1978 with some 33 local youth being employed as interviewers. The data are at present being processed and an initial statistical report being prepared by the Department of Statistics, Trinity College.
3. Labour Availability Survey in Ringaskiddy, County Cork. The survey was carried out in late August 1978 by the Cork National Manpower Service Office at the request of the Ringaskiddy Community Association. The survey was confined, at the request of the RCA, to a small area around Ringaskiddy— much smaller than normal survey catchment area—and as a result the numbers involved were small. Results of the survey have been computerised and printouts received. The report will be written up shortly.
4. A Nationwide Survey of Attitudes of the public to the Public Service conducted by the Institute of Public Administration in collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Institute as part of a broader nationwide study, more generally entitled the Continuing Social Survey, of subjective social indicators and related public attitudes, was authorised and funded by the Department of the Public Service. The report on this study is at present in the final stages of drafting.
5. A nationwide survey of the circumstances of old people including their financial, social, cultural and environmental circumstances carried out by the ESRI was grant-aided by the Minister for Social Welfare. Preliminary findings are expected to be available shortly. He also approved a grant, by the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty, to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for a national survey of old people living alone.
6. A survey on youth needs in Athlone in the areas of work, education and leisure carried out by the Athlone Community Services received financial assistance from the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty.
7. National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty has undertaken the following survey:
Study on the needs of small farmers in West Connemara.
Study of the level of unemployment in Cork city.
Survey on views of local people on educational facilities in Cork city.
Unemployment studies in the Liberties, Dublin.
Study on the needs of young people in Donegal.
Study in conjunction with the Agricultural Institute of co-operative development in rural areas.
8. The ESRI have undertaken the following survey on an on-going basis in co-operation with EEC institutions: (1) Monthly industrial survey of business activity—produced jointly by the CII/ESRI. (2) A household survey of consumers intentions and plans. (3) A continuing survey of social attitudes.
9. Survey of the In-Patient Hospital requirements for Orthopaedic Patients. The purpose of this survey is to measure the demand for in-patient hospital requirements for orthopaedic patients. This survey will cover all hospitals which provide orthopaedic services. All patients entering hospital for such services over a six-month period will be included in the survey. The preliminary planning work required to mount the survey has been completed.
10. Peri-Natal Information System. It is proposed to introduce a comprehensive peri-natal information system which will provide, for all births, improved peri-natal information which will be of assistance to public health personnel and be useful for research into the causes of peri-natal mortality and morbidity. A pilot survey to test the feasibility of such a system was carried out from April to June in counties Wexford and Mayo and in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin. The results of this pilot survey are now being analysed.
May I repeat my supplementary question? How many such sample surveys have been conducted since the present Administration came to power?
When an answer is circulated with the Official Report a Deputy would normally wait to see it. May we go over the other questions again? Question No. 5.
Could I be given the opportunity of eliciting further information in relation to this question?
The answer is that it is being circulated with the Official Report.
I wish to elicit further information beyond that which I expect to find in the Official Report.
There are long-established precedents for supplementary questions being asked on answers——
The Deputy asked two supplementary questions.
The fact that the Minister said that the main answer would be circulated in the Official Report does not, and never has, precluded——
The Deputy is taking up the time of the House.
I am trying to protect the rights of Deputies.
The Minister has answered the question twice.
Why does he not answer my supplementary?
There are three pages which cover ten reports.
That answers my first supplementary. How many of these reports related to surveys of population, unemployment and other social indicators?
That is part of the elaborate reply.
Will these surveys be published?
Yes.