Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any engagements with the CSO with regard to the rescheduling of Census 2021. [28374/21]
View answerTuesday, 15 June 2021
Questions (138, 139, 140)
Paul Murphy
Question:139. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any engagements with the CSO with regard to the rescheduling of Census 2021. [28376/21]
View answer
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:140. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on engagements he has had with the CSO with regard to the rescheduling of Census 2021. [29708/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together.
On the advice of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Government decided on September 15th, to postpone the 2021 Census to 3 April 2022.
The decision to postpone the Census scheduled for 18 April 2021 until 3 April 2022 was not taken lightly and was based on a number of factors. Foremost in the decision making, was the need to ensure the safety of the general public and CSO field staff, coupled with the need to deliver a Census that achieves the highest possible response rate, across all facets of Irish society.
Furthermore, the Census of Population is a major logistical operation and COVID-19 restrictions have prevented or delayed many key planning activities from taking place over recent months.
On consideration of these challenges the Government decided to postpone the 2021 Census until April 2022 to enable the CSO to undertake a comprehensive, inclusive and safe Census in 2022 which will provide valuable and accurate data for our country in the years ahead.