Trevor Sargent
Question:1 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the findings of the recent CSO publication, Ireland North and South: A Statistical Profile, 2002 Edition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7294/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Central Statistics Office Publication.
Joe Higgins
Question:2 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the finding of the recent CSO publication, Ireland North and South: A Statistical Profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8996/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Ireland North and South: A Statistical Profile is a compendium publication featuring statistical data from both this State and Northern Ireland. It is prepared jointly by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, NISRA, and the Central Statistics Office, CSO The 2002 edition was published electronically on the NISRA and CSO websites in January 2003. This updates the first edition published in book form in January 2001.
The profile draws together social and economic statistics for both parts of Ireland. It contains eight chapters covering areas such as demography, the economy, education, health and transport and tourism. Each chapter includes information from both jurisdictions presented using tables, graphs and diagrams and with detailed supporting commentary.
The publication focuses on those areas where comparable data are readily available. Differences between the two jurisdictions and issues such as data availability and definition mean that it has not been possible to produce comparative data for all policy areas. However it has been possible to provide closely comparable data on most important sectors. It is hoped that this profile will continue to be of value to Departments and agencies and to the cross-Border bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement.
How much did this cost to compile and does the Minister of State think it was a worthwhile exercise? I note the difference between home ownership here and rented accommodation figures North and South. Can we learn something from the experience in the North in terms of housing? They do not seem to have the same housing crisis as we have in the South and rents seem to be more reasonable in the North.
Deputy, you are getting into an area that would be more appropriate to address in a question to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
This is contained in the report and I am simply asking the Minister of State to comment on it.
It is not appropriate to ask the Minister to comment on policy issues that are the specific responsibility of another Department.
This is contained in the report.
There are many things contained in the report but if the Minister does not have responsibility, she cannot be asked a supplementary question on it.
I am simply asking if there is something to be learned from the respective experiences North and South.
Given that the statistical data were being compiled by both bodies anyway, even though I do not have a figure for it, comparisons would not be a costly exercise. Whatever the cost, it would be a valuable exercise because it would compare a wide range of topics ranging from population and households, health statistics, industry, education, labour markets, agriculture, transport, tourism and the European Union. The profile gives valuable information on how the island has developed in recent years and even draws comparative population statistics going back to the time of the Famine.
The Deputy specifically asked about household tenure and that area shows a distinct difference. The document sets out that in the Republic of Ireland, 47% of people own their homes outright, with a further 35% owning with a mortgage, a very high percentage in any European terms. Only 8% rent from a local authority, 9% from private landlords and 1% live rent free. That gives a total of 82% outright or mortgaged home ownership. In Northern Ireland the comparative figure is only 67%, although that is still much higher than other areas of Europe. Information is given on house prices that shows that house prices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic increased between 1995 and 2000. It demonstrates the number of people who want to own their own homes as opposed to wanting to rent.
But they cannot afford to buy them.
The Taoiseach is already absent from the House on Thursdays but with increasing frequency he is not in the House on Wednesdays. We do not have the opportunity to question him – questions to him have now been postponed until after Easter. Could the Ceann Comhairle arrange that if the Taoiseach is not here on a Wednesday, he makes up for it by coming into the Dáil on other days so we can subject him to questioning? The position is not at all satisfactory.
Does the Deputy have a question for the Minister of State on Questions Nos. 1 and 2?
The Minister of State arranges the Taoiseach's appearances in the House.
The Deputy is well aware that there is a meeting of the European Council in Athens today where important business concerning the accession treaties for the expansion of Europe is taking place.
What is the purpose in oral questions that deal with statistical facts if the questioning is so constrained? Would the Ceann Comh airle's office be able to outline the breadth of questioning available on statistical questions? We would like to ask many questions about the statistical profile. Does the Government feel there is any need to review policy when it sees the increase in car ownership compared to the North and how heavily reliant we are on the private motor vehicle according to these statistics? Is the Government reviewing any policy positions based on this information?
It is important that when we have statistical information of the calibre presented to us by the Central Statistics Office that it should be used in Government policy. The National Statistics Board also compiles statistics and ensures they filter through into Government policy. Statistical information was very valuable to the national spatial strategy, as it is to education and pupil numbers and demographics. Statistics play a vital role in policy formulation and there are boards designed to ensure that is the case.