Written Answers Nos. 49-67
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach if the CSO will explore ways of publishing regular data pertaining to the numbers of persons at work per county as distinct from per region, as the current system makes it difficult to measure progress or otherwise in rural counties such as Kerry, which is categorised with Cork city and county and the live register figures do not take account of emigration. [26708/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of employment estimates in the state and is conducted in line with relevant European regulations for the conduct of labour force surveys.
The labour market estimates produced by the QNHS are designed to meet strict quality criteria set down by Eurostat, which specify the level of statistical accuracy that these estimates must achieve at national level. The CSO also produces regional labour market estimates from the QNHS (NUTS 3 regions) which is beyond the level of regional detail (NUTS 2 regions) required by Eurostat. It is not possible to produce robust county level estimates from the current QNHS data.
The CSO would have to increase the total number of households interviewed nationally, with a corresponding increase in field staff numbers and costs, in order to produce regular county level estimates to the same standard as the regional estimates currently available from the QNHS.
Currently the CSO employs 100 interviewers who sample 2,000 households per week to generate quarterly national and regional labour market estimates, at a cost of approximately €4m per annum. Achieving representative samples at county level on which to base labour market estimates would require a substantial increase in the number of households interviewed and the number of field interviewers required to interview them.
The main source of detailed county and small area level information is the Census of Population. The Census asks respondents to declare their ‘Principal Economic Status (PES)’, which classifies their usual situation with regard to employment, and includes the categories of ‘employed’ and ‘unemployed’, amongst others. A detailed analysis of the change in 'PES' between 2011 and 2016 will be available at county level and below when the 2016 Census results are published in 2017.
50. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department to date in 2016; and the number of requests fully and partially refused respectively. [23745/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received 216 Freedom of Information requests from the start of this year until 23 September. Of these, 41 requests were fully refused (including some requests where no records were held by my Department) and 79 requests were partially refused.
51. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach the figures for his Department on the percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23746/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy regarding sick absence statistics for my Department is set out in the table:
|
Year |
Lost time rate % - (certified sick absence) |
Lost time rate % - (self-certified sick absence) |
|
2011 |
3.61% |
0.24% |
|
2012 |
2.27% |
0.22% |
|
2013 |
1.86% |
0.24% |
|
2014 |
2.39% |
0.24% |
|
2015 |
2.29% |
0.24% |
My Department's lost time rate due to sick absence is consistently below the Civil Service average.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform routinely publishes sick absence statistics for the Civil and Public Service. The latest statistics for the Civil Service are available at: http://hr.per.gov.ie/files/2011/09/Civil-Service-broken-down-by-organisation.pdf.
52. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in his Department between 1 January 2016 and 10 March 2016; between 11 March 2016 and 6 May 2016; and since 7 May 2016. [23747/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of miles and travel expenses claimed by Ministers of State assigned to my Department are provided in the table:
|
Name |
Details |
Amount |
|
Minister of State Paul Kehoe |
Mileage claim for 01.01.16 - 31.01.16 - 4780 kms* |
€2,823.55 |
|
Minister of State Paul Kehoe |
Subsistence for St Patrick's Day trip to USA 12-19 March 2016 |
€371.05 |
|
Minister of State Paul Kehoe |
Mileage claim for 01.02.16 - 31.03.16 - 2170 kms* |
€1,124.79 |
|
Minister of State Paul Kehoe |
Mileage claim for 01.04.16 - 30.04.16 - 5981 kms* |
€1,702.19 |
|
Minister of State Regina Doherty |
Mileage claim for 07.05.16 - 31.05.16 -2209 kms |
€1,304.86 |
|
Minister of State Regina Doherty |
Mileage claim for 01.06.16 - 30.06.16 -2335 kms |
€1,379.28 |
|
Minister of State Regina Doherty |
Mileage claim for 01.07.16 - 27.07.16 -2147 kms |
€1268.23 |
|
Minister of State Regina Doherty |
Mileage claim for 28.07.16 - 31.08.16 -1632 kms |
€964.02 |
Note: Mileage claims are submitted on a calendar month basis therefore it is not possible to split costs within months.
I have been provided with a Garda car under the Ministerial transport scheme and therefore do not use a private car for official purposes. I have not claimed subsistence.
53. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach the name, position and annual salary awarded to his special advisers; if he will provide details for requests for an increase above the special advisers' pay cap as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23748/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe names, roles and annual salaries of my Special Advisers are set out in the table:
|
Name |
Position |
Annual Salary |
|
Mark Kennelly |
Chief of Staff |
€156,380 |
|
Paul O'Brien |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
€87,258 |
|
Angela Flanagan |
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
€87,258 |
No request has been made for an increase above the special advisers' pay scale as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the cost of introducing a minimum wage of €12, €13, €14 or €15 per hour for all employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27783/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the cost to introduce a minimum weekly gross wage of €480, €500, €520, €560 or €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27793/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55, 83 and 84 together.
My Department has not had discussions with its suppliers/service contractors or suppliers/service contractors to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) about a living wage.
Levels of remuneration for employees of my Department and NESDO are based on pay scales set centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
56. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach his plans to provide an update on the formation of the Dublin north inner city task force; its terms of reference, chair, and timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23913/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast July Government launched a major initiative for the Dublin North East Inner City with the establishment of a Ministerial Taskforce to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of the area.
To support the work of the Ministerial Taskforce, which I Chair, Mr Kieran Mulvey has been appointed to engage with the local community groups, representatives and other interests, and to report back by November with specific recommendations.
A number of immediate measures were also announced to help the community address some of the immediate challenges facing it.
The Ministerial Taskforce met recently and was briefed by Mr Mulvey on his work to date which has mainly involved many meetings with people in the area, including community groups, residents, businesses, public representatives and public agencies. He will continue his programme of meetings and has invited short submissions to made by individuals or groups to him over the coming weeks. He remains on track to submit his report by end-November.
The terms of reference for Mr Mulvey’s Report are:
(i) to oversee implementation of short-term responses to the recent and ongoing challenges facing the community in the area;
(ii) to review existing structures and programmes for economic and social development within the North East Inner City, both statutory and non-statutory;
(iii) to engage with and involve local community and public representatives throughout the process; this should include a collaborative review process involving children, young people, parents, professionals and other stakeholders;
(iv) to take account of experience and good practice in other projects\areas, as well as national policy developments such as the review of the National Drugs Strategy;
(v) to recommend specific measures which would support the long-term economic and social regeneration of the area, with a ten year timeframe, including in the areas of
- community safety and policing;
- early intervention programmes for children;
- education and training; employment opportunities;
- improving the physical environment;
- housing;
- tackling the impact of drugs; and
- community development including family, youth and recreation activity
(vi) to recommend structures\procedures to ensure better co-ordination of statutory and non-statutory programmes in the area; and
(vii) to identify some indicators of economic and social development which can be used to track progress over a ten-year period.
57. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of credit cards issued to Ministers of State and officials working in his Department, the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24640/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, together.
No credit cards are issued to Ministers in my Department. A total of five credit cards are currently in use for official purposes assigned to three Heads of Divisions and two Private Secretaries. During 2014, a total of €39,250 was charged to these cards. During 2015, a total of €29,004 was charged to these cards. No interest amounts were paid in either year.
Departmental credit cards are used for official purposes only. They are allocated to officials where the facility will be of practical use in meeting the requirements of official business, for example, to cover travel expenses and official entertainment while away from the office; and to procure goods and services such as on-line conferences bookings, air travel, purchase of IT equipment and library supplies. Increasingly, on-line bookings for flights, hotels, rail travel and newspaper subscriptions can only be secured with credit cards and online discounts or better value rates are applied for such bookings.
The use of official credit cards is closely monitored by my Department's Finance Unit on an ongoing basis. Expenditure must be supported by receipts submitted by card holders each month as part of the approval process for the associated expenditure. The allocation and use of official credit cards are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a view to minimising the number of cards allocated.
In general, staff in my Department do not use personal credit cards for official expenses. However, if an official expense is incurred on a personal credit card, the expense can be reimbursed as long as the purchase adheres to normal procurement and approval guidelines.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), a body under the aegis of my Department, has two credit cards in operation. A total amount of €10,936 was charged to those credit cards in 2014 and €12,569 was charged to those cards in 2015. No bank interest was paid in either year. Credit cards are used for official purposes only, for example, travel related expenses, conference attendances, ordering research articles and payment of subscriptions. Credit cards are only used where normal procurement procedures (i.e. using a Purchase Order) cannot be applied, for example, paying foreign hotel bills. It is not the practice for NESDO staff to use personal credit cards for work purposes.
60. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the landlords that his Department or bodies under his aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25425/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe properties occupied by my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office are provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.
61. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Taoiseach the efforts his Department and agencies under its remit have made to use Eircode when communicating with households via An Post. [25879/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) have made the following efforts to encourage and promote the use of Eircode:
- The websites Taoiseach.gov.ie, MerrionStreet.ie and nesc.ie have been updated to include the relevant Eircode;
- All Departmental databases have been updated to include my Department’s Eircode. Space has also been provided for the inclusion of an Eircode on the recipient address line;
- All headed notepaper purchased since the introduction of Eircode has included the relevant Eircode in the address line;
- All business cards ordered since the introduction of Eircode include my Department’s Eircode;
- All staff have been requested to insert the relevant Eircode in their email signature if their signature contains their full work address; and
- Grant application forms have been amended to include my Department’s Eircode.
62. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a shortlist provided to him by the Public Appointments Service, PAS; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control that are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26091/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB) in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, S.I. No. 603 of 2010 - National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010; and Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993.
In the case of the NESC, I appoint 20 members specifically on the basis of nominations from organisations or interests set out in the Act, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members. The independent members are mainly from the academic sector.
One vacancy which related to a nominating organisation existed on the NESC on 26 February, 2016. Since then, the five year term of the Board has expired and consideration as to the best arrangements for the Council and any future composition are ongoing. No other vacancies occurred in the intervening period.
In relation to the NSB, Section 18 of the Statistics Act provides for the composition of and appointments to the NSB. The Board has eight members. The Director General of the CSO is a member ex officio; five members of the Board are nominated for appointment, two by the Minister of State and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act; and two are senior officials of the Departments of the Taoiseach and of Finance.
On 8 September 2016 Mr. John Callinan, Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, resigned from the NSB. In line with Section 18 (1)(b) of the Statistics Act 1993 it was required that this vacancy be filled by a senior representative of the Department of the Taoiseach. On 15 September 2016 Mr. John Shaw, Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, was appointed as a member of the NSB. There have been no other appointments to the NSB since this Government was formed.
Appointments to the NSB and NESC do not require Cabinet approval. Where appropriate and consistent with the legislation it is intended that future appointments to the NESC and NSB will be advertised in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
63. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach his estimate of the number of persons currently without a job but not included in the live register figures. [24661/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State and the seasonally adjusted number of persons (aged 15-74) unemployed as of the second quarter of 2016 was 182,900. While the QNHS provides quarterly benchmark estimates of unemployment, the CSO also publishes monthly unemployment estimates. The latest seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment figures for August 2016 indicate that the number of unemployed persons aged 15-74 years in that month was estimated to have been 181,600.
The primary classification used for the QNHS results is the ILO (International Labour Office) labour force classification. The classification for unemployed persons includes those persons aged 15-74 years who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work. The QNHS does not capture a respondent's status as measured by the Live Register.
The Live Register is compiled from returns made for each local office to the Central Statistics Office by the Department of Social Protection. It comprises persons under 65 years of age in the following classes:
All Claimants for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) excluding systematic short-time workers.
Applicants for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) excluding smallholders/farm assists and other self-employed persons.
Other registrants including applicants for credited Social Welfare contributions but excluding those directly involved in an industrial dispute.
It should be noted that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment as per the ILO unemployment classification used by the QNHS.
It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.
64. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach if the trade figures for May 2016 as published by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, on 12 August 2016, which show an increase of €19.237 billion in the value of Irish industrial exports in 2015, which was a 22.75% increase on the value of Irish industrial exports in 2014, were the source or one of the sources of the distortion in the Irish GDP figure for 2015 that was labelled internationally as "leprechaun economics"; if it is for him to comment on the fact that the total value of Irish exports from January to May 2016 is slightly up on the total value of Irish exports from January to May 2015, which would seem to suggest that there may be a similar distortion in 2016; the county or counties that have benefitted the most from this increased activity from Irish exporters. [25040/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland's International Trade statistics, the sectors showing significant export growth in 2015 compared to 2014 were:
Organic chemicals (+18%) (+€3.3 billion)
Medical and pharmaceutical products (+36%) (+€8 billion)
Essential oils (+15%) (+€1 billion)
Other transport equipment (including aircraft) (+113%) (+€2.8 billion)
In contrast, the July 2016 trade results shows that exports for the entire chemical sector for the first seven months of 2016 have increased by just 0.3% over the same period in 2015.
Information on exports of goods at county level is not available.
These results from the International Trade statistics are not related to the activities that caused the revisions to the 2015 national accounts statistics.
The International Trade monthly statistics for imports and exports measure goods crossing the national border, whereas national accounts statistics are compiled on a change of economic ownership basis and so include trading activity of Irish entities that takes place outside national borders.
Adjustments are made to the primary trade data (sourced from the International Trade monthly series of imports and exports of goods) to move from the crossing the national border concept to the change of economic ownership concept in the national accounts statistics. Net additions for contract manufacturing are the most significant of these adjustments.
The revisions to the 2015 national accounts statistics for Ireland were driven by the relocation of entire balance sheets to Ireland, with consequential activities leading to a level shift in the economic activity attributed to Ireland. The additional economic activity attributed to Ireland was primarily due to contract manufacturing.
Contract manufacturing occurs where a company in Ireland engages a company abroad to manufacture products on its behalf (and vice versa). These products could be either new products or products formerly produced by the Irish company.
The inputs used in this production process remain in the ownership of the Irish company. The foreign contract manufacturer supplies a manufacturing service to the Irish company and never takes ownership of the product being produced.
Once the production cycle is completed for the product, it is then sold to a customer abroad and a change of economic ownership takes place between Ireland and the country of the buyer. At this stage, the value added (export value less cost of inputs) is recorded in the Irish national accounts statistics as an export as required under the change of economic ownership concept applicable for those statistics.
However, this transaction is not included in the International Trade monthly series of imports and exports of goods as the goods do not cross the national border.
65. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the position regarding his conversation with the UK Prime Minster, Ms Theresa May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has formally written to or asked the First Minister, Arlene Foster, about an all-island inquiry into Project Eagle. [26794/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the formal contacts by him with the UK Prime Minister and political leaders in Scotland and Northern Ireland since 31 July 2016 concerning the issue of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he plans to discuss the Dublin-Monaghan bombings with the Prime Minister of the UK. [27021/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 69, 72 and 78 together.
I met with Prime Minister May on 26 July at which we agreed to work together to build on the continuing strength and closeness of the UK/Ireland relationship.
We discussed the good progress that our two Governments have made in recent years following on from the Joint Statement “British Irish relations – the next decade" which was agreed in 2012. Prime Minister May affirmed the UK Government's commitment to this comprehensive programme of engagement between our two administrations. This will allow us to continue to work together on a range of issues that are of benefit to all the people of Britain and Ireland such as jobs, trade, tourism and energy as part of our Joint Ireland/UK Work Programme.
The meeting also gave us the opportunity to discuss developments in Northern Ireland. We reiterated the importance of the partnership between our two Governments in supporting the peace process and in contributing to stability and continued progress in Northern Ireland. We are both committed to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements - St Andrews and Fresh Start - and will continue to work in partnership for a prosperous and secure Northern Ireland.
We also discussed the many issues that arise in the context of the outcome of the recent UK referendum on EU membership. While it is not the outcome that we in Ireland wanted, we fully respect the democratic vote of the people of the United Kingdom. We will work with the Prime Minister and all our partners in the EU and in the Northern Ireland Executive to make sure we achieve the best possible outcome in forthcoming negotiations.
We agreed that we would work together to ensure that the benefits of the peace process are preserved in any new arrangements which might emerge regarding the United Kingdom's future relationship with the EU. In particular, we both recognised that Ireland is the only EU Member State that shares a land border with the UK. We are in agreement that we don't wish to see any return to the borders of the past on the island of Ireland.
The meeting also gave us the opportunity to have a broader discussion on the common issues of concern in the context of the referendum result such as our close trading relationship and the benefits of the Common Travel Area. Both the Irish and British Government value the Common Travel Area and will work to keep this in place to the greatest extent possible as part of future arrangements. There is no desire to limit the freedom of people on both sides of the Irish sea to live, work and travel freely across these islands. It will be a key issue for Ireland in the context of negotiating new terms and conditions for the EU’s relationship with the UK.
I discussed the Dublin/Monaghan Bombings and other legacy cases with Prime Minister May when I met her in July and highlighted to her the importance of dealing with legacy issues and hoped there could be progress on the overall arrangements for dealing with the past.
I last met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and Scotland's First Minister at the Extraordinary meeting of the British Irish Council on 22 July which was called specifically to discuss the BREXIT issue.
On 15 September 2016, I met Opposition party leaders with a view to seeking agreement on the issues of public concern that require further investigation in relation to NAMA's sale of Project Eagle and the most appropriate nature and terms of reference for such an investigation.
On 23 September 2016 I received a number of submissions in the matter and these are currently being considered.
The Government’s objective is to ensure that all matters of public concern are addressed in a speedy and effective manner.
66. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the establishment of an all-island dialogue to deal with issues arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26582/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government believes that there is a need for the widest possible conversation on the implications of the referendum result for Ireland, North and South and for North/South relations.
There are many organisations and individuals across the island of Ireland who are outside the political establishment who wish to be heard on this issue and I believe we must give them a real opportunity to participate.
The Government will be putting forward its ideas on how we can best do that in the coming weeks.
67. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach if it is intended to publish the 1926 census of population; the target date for such publication; if legislation will be required to enable this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26583/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 and 1946 Statistics Acts, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census. This means that the 1926 census records will be open to the public by the National Archives in the year 2026.
In considering the question of release of the 1926 Census, the Government has had to bear in mind any possible impact that early release might have on the confidence of the public in the present day guarantees of statistical confidentiality that the CSO gives to its respondents.
Confidentiality and privacy are rightly issues of great concern for the public. The legal guarantee of confidentiality that comes with the census, along with the untarnished reputation of the CSO in upholding this guarantee in practice, is important in persuading the public to disclose their private information on the census form. Great care must be taken to ensure that any change would not undermine public confidence in the CSO, which could have the potential to seriously damage the return of data by respondents.
It is also worth noting that the 1901-1911 census material was for the most part available in microfilm format. This made the digitisation process relatively cost effective and enabled delivery to be relatively efficient. The 1926 Census has never been micro-filmed and I understand that a significant level of work is required to scan and cross-index the individual return sheets.
In addition to the confidentiality considerations, the Government is of the view that providing for early release, before vital preparatory work has been undertaken is premature, and that there are a number of issues requiring further consideration before a decision to publish could be made.
