asked the Taoiseach why the month and year of birth and marriage were not considered adequate for statistical purposes in the compilation of the census; and why the actual day of the happening of each such event had to be disclosed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Census of Population.
3.
In the 1971 Census of Population married women are asked to state the month and year of present marriage—the actual day is not sought. Provision is made on the census form for entering day, month and year of birth—this is the usual format in which information of this kind is normally collected. A more precise classification by age is possible when the date of birth is known.
4.
asked the Taoiseach the normal status and occupations of all persons who will collect, have custody of and have an opportunity to read the information contained in the completed census forms.
The only people who have contact with the individual census forms are the census enumerators, their immediate supervisors and the staff of the Central Statistics Office working on the compilation of the census results. In the Dublin area the census enumerators and their supervisors are all postal officials. Elsewhere the census operation is carried out in conjunction with the Garda Síochána. Where it is not possible for gardaí to carry out the actual enumeration, suitable civilian enumerators are appointed in consultation with and on the advice of the Garda. These civilians are under the direct supervision of the local Garda sergeant.
All enumerators and their supervisors have been instructed on the confidential nature of the census forms and have been made aware of their legal obligations not to disclose any information obtained in the course of their work to any other person.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in country villages local people, particularly people who are members of a particular political party, have been appointed as enumerators, and have in fact questioned the items put down by the head of the household on some of the forms? When they have gone into guest houses or hotels they have opened the envelopes which have been supplied for the purpose of being issued to those who are staying in the establishment for the night and have discussed with staff the various entries made on those forms. Does he consider that that is the proper way these things should be done?
I would agree that, if that sort of situation is occurring, of which I am not aware, it is a wrong practice.
The Parliamentary Secretary can take my word for it that it has actually happened.
I would not suggest for a moment that the Deputy is coming into the House and deliberately making misrepresentations so he must be telling the truth.
Is there something that can be done about it even at this stage before all the forms are collected?
If the Deputy gives me the case history in question I will certainly be glad to assist him.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not be willing to make some statement at present which could be taken up in the Press and which would prevent a recurrence of this? They are not all collected and I believe a lot of harm has been done to future census filling by this sort of activity. There are nosey people who want to know everybody's business.
As I said, if the Deputy will give me the case history in question I will certainly have it investigated. Then, if there is a statement to be made, I will make it.
Thank you.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if he will state with reference to the census question requiring each householder to express an opinion on the ability of himself and each other person in residence to speak or read the Irish language, what allowance will be made for erroneous assessment on the part of the householder; and why a question was not asked as to the actual amount of Irish spoken or read daily.
The question on the Irish language is presented in exactly the same form as in 1961 so that trends can be assessed. Whereas most other questions can be answered without subjective judgment by the individual, this is not true of this question. Experience has shown that changing the format of such a question would make it more difficult to derive any valid results. As on previous occasions, the figures to be published will be derived from what is entered by the householders without alteration.