asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is correct as recently announced by the Minister for Education, that the Statistics Branch is to be transferred from the Department of Industry and Commerce; and, if so, if he will state the future arrangements contemplated for the administration of the branch; whether the change will involve any alteration in the scope of the statistical services now provided; and, if so, to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statistics Branch.
It has been decided to create a Central Bureau of Statistics to which the staffs and functions of the Statistics Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce will be transferred. It will be attached to the Department of the Taoiseach. The details of the arrangements for the administration of the bureau have not yet been fully determined. They will, however, involve no diminution in the statistical services now provided. On the contrary, the intention is to improve and extend those services so as to supply the growing need for statistical data.