asked the Taoiseach if it will be possible in the next census to provide a means of ascertaining (i) the total number of people in the country who are homeless (including those living in night shelters), sleeping rough, in county homes, or other institutions because of their homelessness and (ii) information on their living conditions.
Written Answers. - Homeless Persons Statistics.
614.
The nature of the census operation does not make it possible to obtain the information referred to in any satisfactory way. The most that could be done would be to ask all institutions to indicate on their census returns which persons were, to the best of their knowledge, "homeless" in some defined sense. However, it would not be feasible to extend the scope of the census questionnaire to seek any further clarification of personal circumstances or living conditions.