Ciarán Cuffe
Question:77 Mr. Cuffe asked the Taoiseach if he will consider recording the number of persons who use Irish sign language in the next census. [13147/04]
View answerTuesday, 11 May 2004
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Written answers
The Central Statistics Office began a consultation process in November 2003 to consider topics to be included in the 2006 census. Notices were placed in the national press and on the CSO website which invited public submissions on the suggested content of the 2006 census questionnaire.
A broadly-based consultative group was set up in December 2003 to assist the CSO in assessing the merits of the submissions received. The group has agreed the content of the census questionnaire to be used in a pilot survey of approximately 8,000 households which is being conducted in selected areas throughout the country during April-May 2004. In addition to retaining some of the standard census questions, the survey form will test a number of new potential census questions and a number of format changes to existing questions.
A submission requesting the inclusion of a question on Irish sign language in the census was considered by the consultative group but it was not recommended for inclusion in the 2004 census pilot survey.