Census will show how Covid-19 changed the way people work and live in Ireland

The Census on April 3rd will give the fullest picture to date of the long-term impacts of Covid-19, and how the pandemic changed the way that people work and live in Ireland.

The director general of the Central Statistics Office, Pádraig Dalton, has said that the form for Census 2022 included eight new questions as well as changes to 25 of the existing questions.

He said that some of the questions will yield population-wide data on the effects of Covid-19 on the population and on society.

“One of the questions is about people working from home and will give some insight into how society has changed on foot of the pandemic,” said Mr Dalton.

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There is also a question on if people have changed address in the past year, which will capture some information on those who have relocated during Covid. Other lifestyle questions relevant to the pandemic are internet access and access to childcare.

Mr Dalton also indicated there was a question that would also generate data on the impact of long-Covid. “There is a question relating to long-lasting (health) difficulties and issues.” He said a follow-on question for those who have a condition asks about the impacts it has had on their lives.

Some of the other questions relate to other important issues that have come to the fore in recent years, including in the areas of climate change and health. They include renewable energy sources; internet access; smoke alarms; smoking; volunteering; and childcare.

Another feature of the Census is a “Time Capsule” whereby those filling the forms will be able to write a message or observation to their descendants.

The forms will be sealed and will not be available for public viewing for 100 years.

Speaking at the launch in Government Buildings, Mr Dalton said more than two million forms would be distributed to Irish house for completion on the night of Sunday, April 3rd.

Living conditions

He has said that this year’s census will generate a detailed picture of social and living conditions in Ireland. A team of 5,100 enumerators has commenced the process of delivering forms to every household in the country. These forms must be completed on census night, and will be collected by an enumerator before May 6th. Everyone present in Ireland on April 3rd must be included on a census form.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who was at the launch, said: “The census, by counting every single person present in Ireland, provides a uniquely comprehensive account of our population.

“It is far more than a simple counting exercise, the census asks a variety of questions that give us the information that is vital for the planning of public services. There is not a single decision taken on the provision of public services from health to education and housing, that is not shaped in some way by census data.”

The Taoiseach said among the observations he would include in his time capsule would be a reference to him enjoying raw honey and Cork’s prospects of winning the All-Ireland.