asked the Taoiseach when the full census of distribution details, collected in 1966, will be published; and when the next census will be taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Census of Distribution.
6.
A census of distribution and services covering activity in the year 1966 was undertaken in 1967. The principal results, relating to the retail trade, were published in May of this year. It is expected that a further publication containing full details of the retail trade will be issued before the end of the year and that another volume, relating-to wholesale activity and to the particular service trades covered by the census, will be published early in 1970.
It is hoped to carry out, in 1972, a further full census of distribution and services in respect of the year 1971.
Current indicators of the trend in the level of retail sales for the principal types of business are provided by the monthly retail sales index. In addition, annual sample inquires are being taken for the years subsequent to 1966, designed to update the principal results obtained from the full 1966 inquiry.