Over 1,600 homes in Tipperary taking part in first Census Pilot Survey since 2009

The Census Pilot Survey, which is a trial mini census, is in the collection phase in Tipperary.  The survey is run by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to test new questions for the next full census in 2021.  Childcare, homeworking, renewable energy sources, smoking, smoke alarms, citizenship and volunteering are among the topics in the test.

Hardworking Census Pilot Survey enumerators are currently busy returning to homes to collect the previously delivered Census Pilot Survey forms. They will collect forms until October 23rd.  Over 1,600 homes are taking part in Tipperary and each enumerator is responsible for between 400 to 450 homes. The areas include parts of Ballina (east of R494), Ballina (west of R494), parts of Newport and parts of Nenagh.

While Census Pilot Survey date was set at September 23rd, there is still time to complete the form.  If the enumerator has left their contact details, it is possible to agree a suitable time for the form to be collected.  The helpline 1850 201 604 can also be used to arrange for the form to be collected or answer any Census Pilot Survey queries.

In the country as a whole, seven counties involving 15,000 homes have been selected to take part. The counties are Tipperary, Cork, Galway, Dublin, Offaly, Louth and Wicklow . While 15,000 homes is a large survey, it is only a tiny amount of the 1.7 million homes that were visited during Census 2016. The results of the survey are of crucial importance to helping the CSO to plan the next full census in 2021. The help given by people completing their test census forms is extremely important and they play a vital role in preparing for Census 2021. Their efforts are very much appreciated by the CSO.

A feedback form to gather people’s views and opinions of the Census Pilot Survey form and questions has been given out by the enumerator.  It is very simple to complete. An online version of the feedback form is also available plus lots of information on the survey on the website, censuspilot.ie.  

The last Census Pilot Survey took place in 2009 and the resulted in new questions on foreign languages spoken at home, general health and field of study in the 2011 census.  There was no census pilot survey between 2011 and 2016 so the census in 2016 had very little change and no new questions.

In 2019, a detailed report will be published on the results of this Census Pilot Survey. Decisions on the questions to be asked in Census 2021 will be finalised and the two million census forms will be printed in 2020.