Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
449. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the consideration which is given to the publication of the census in respect to the delivery of services; the way in which demographic data features in planning at various levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31402/17]
View answerCensus data provides information on demographic change, disability and general health which serve as an important input into the analysis of evidence based policy decisions undertaken by this Department.
Census data is also a vital component of international health analysis carried out by this Department on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the OECD, DG Santé, Eurostat and the WHO.
A current illustration of the importance of census data to health analysis and evidence based policy decisions is the collaborative research programme undertaken by this Department with the ESRI to develop a medium term projection model of healthcare demand and expenditure. A key building block of this model is demographic projection of the size and structure of the population. Work is currently in train to develop population projections by gender and single year of age for each year, up to 2030, where assumptions can be altered to examine alternative scenarios (e.g., fertility, migration, life expectancy, health status) , and the impact on future health and social care demand by sector.
This Department has also commissioned a review of the current health capacity incorporating acute hospitals, primary care and social care sectors to be completed this year. Census and population projection data will act as key inputs into this process and will be fundamental to the Department's assessment of future health service capacity requirements.
