asked the Taoiseach the number of dwellings visited by enumerators during the conduct of the 1986 Census which were found to be habitable but vacant.
Written Answers. - Dwellings Statistics.
61.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in respect of the 1986 Census. It could only be assembled by a detailed analysis of the background working documents used by enumerators at the Census. All efforts are being concentrated on the processing of the questionnaires completed by households with a view to publishing the final Census results as quickly as possible.
Relevant information is available in respect of the 1981 Census obtained from a detailed analysis of the background documents carried out following the main processing of the 1981 Census returns. When delivering the Census forms prior to the Census the enumerators were required to note whether a dwelling was vacant or whether the occupants were likely to be absent on Census night. In the case of vacant dwellings the enumerator indicated whether in his/her view the dwelling was habitable or not. The purpose of this task was to ensure as complete an enumeration as possible since the enumerator was required to return to all these dwellings to verify the position when the Census forms were being collected.
In 1981 there were 78,900 houses, including holiday homes, and 8,100 flats which the enumerators listed as being habitable but vacant on Census night. In addition there were 13,100 houses which were listed as newly under construction or being renovated but not habitable on Census night.