Vol. 528 No. 1
3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the steps that are being taken by the CSO to ensure that there will be adequate staff to allow a full census to take place in 2001; if it is planned to mail census forms to some people; if he considers that this is a satisfactory procedure for the conduct of a census; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24523/00]
4 Mr. Hayes asked the Taoiseach when the next population census will take place; the total number of additional interviewers and Central Statistics Office employees who will be employed for the census; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25505/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The next census of population will be held on 29 April 2001. The planned field-force to conduct the 2001 census of population will consist of five census liaison officers, 35 regional supervisors, 350 field supervisors and approximately 4,000 enumerators. CSO staff will provide the necessary administrative and statistical support for the census operation. To facilitate this task an additional 180 permanent civil servants will be employed for the duration of the census operation, after which they will be redeployed to other Departments with the agreement of the Minister for Finance.
In relation to the field-force, the top two layers have been put in place. Approximately 1,300 of the 2,700 applicants for the 350 field supervisor positions have been interviewed and the successful candidates from among them will be employed from January 2001. The 4,000 enumerator positions have been recently advertised. A three-prong strategy has been devised to mitigate the possible negative impact of labour market shortages on the recruitment of the numbers sought. A high profile publicity campaign is being run to emphasise to the public the importance of recruiting enumerators to carry out the census. The rate of pay for enumerators has been considerably enhanced compared with the rates prevailing in 1996. In the event that the required number of enumerators cannot be realised, it is proposed to employ a mail-back procedure for completed census forms on a targeted basis in some areas. This approach would most likely be used in urban centres. Delivery of the census forms to householders before census day would, however, continue to be done by enumerators. In all cases where a form is not returned by post, an enumerator will subsequently call to ensure all households are included in the census.
While the CSO has a strong preference for continuing the methodology used in previous censuses, whereby enumerators delivered and collected census forms, it is prepared, if necessary, to resort to the fall-back position of having some census forms returned by post. Such an approach was tested as part of the pilot census operation carried out in September 1999 and it was shown to be a viable option.
I am satisfied that the CSO is taking a pragmatic and flexible approach to ensuring the census will be a success. The Government considers it is vitally important that a full and accurate count of the population is achieved so that we can monitor the many changes occurring in society. I am sure the House will join me in urging full co-operation with the CSO next April when the field work begins.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Does the Government share my concern that it is absolutely essential that this very important exercise is undertaken to the maximum degree of efficiency and that the prospect at present of recruiting 4,000 enumerators is highly problematic? Will he indicate, therefore, to the House the steps he will take to ensure these enumerators are in place? There seems to be an admission that he will not be able to do the task in its entirety by reference to the use of mail, which is hardly satisfactory. Will he indicate the rate of pay to enumerators, for how long will they be employed and where and how will they be recruited?
Both the Central Statistics Office and I share the Deputy's concern. It is very difficult to recruit people for this assignment.
It is five months away.
The CSO advertised recently for 4,000 enumerators. It is running a high profile publicity campaign and employing a mail-back procedure which it will use if necessary. I will return to the pay question later. There were 2,700 applicants for the 350 field supervisor positions, which is a satisfactory number. It appears, therefore, that some people are interested in helping to conduct the census.
Remuneration will be on a fee basis. A terminal bonus of £300 will be payable on satisfactory completion of all phases of the work and separate fees will be payable for each phase. Fees payable for certain aspects of the work will vary between urban and rural areas. With regard to training, there will be a payment of £93. For each household enumerated, £2.15 will be paid and this will be divided as follows: listings per household 20p, distribution per household 20p, collection per household £1.75. For summarisation there will be a payment of £143 and, as already stated, a terminal bonus of £300. There will be an allowance for home storage of £100 and clothing and footwear allowances of £100.
I am sure these rates represent an improvement on those which obtained in respect of previous occasions on which the census was taken. I share the Deputy's concerns and I will make every possible effort to encourage people to come forward.
We must avoid difficulties that arose in relation to the administration of the millennium committee and I put it to the Minister of State that the census is of critical importance. He will no doubt agree that Government policy depends on accurate statistical information and there is no excuse for the Government not ensuring that the necessary temporary staff are recruited, trained and equipped. The value of the statistical database we will derive from the census will be well in excess of the current level of cost for its collection.
Will the Minister of State return to the House before the recess to indicate the progress that has been made in this matter? Will he give a commitment to keep the House fully and accurately informed? In light of current economic circumstances, the Government has the money to fund this survey and we must ensure the necessary staff are recruited. Does the Minister of State agree that reliance on conventional methods would not be appropriate, particularly in light of the current state of the labour market, and that we will not be able to recruit the necessary staff unless we offer them extremely attractive terms?
There is no doubt that the census is of major strategic importance to the future of the country. The Deputy's comments will be helpful in terms of urging us to ensure that we take the correct course of action. I will certainly review the operations of the CSO to see how it is performing in terms of attracting people to carry out this work. I will keep the pressure on and will be delighted to report to the House further in respect of this matter.
The Minister of State indicated that if the CSO is unsuccessful in attracting sufficient people to take up these positions, a mail-back procedure will be used. What measures is he putting in place to ensure that the application form is made user-friendly, particularly given that one in four members of the adult population have poor literacy skills? Will he ensure that the form is simplified in order that as many people as possible can complete and return it?
The form has been extensively test marketed. A number of working groups were established to work on simplifying the form and expanding the range of questions asked. I am confident that members of the public should be able to complete the form, which has been considerably simplified, but anyone who requires assistance will be given it.
