The census, tomorrow night, takes places at a time of unprecedented social and demographic change. Officials at the Central Statistics Office (CSO) expect the results to show that the overall population may reach 4.2 million, the highest level in 135 years. They also estimate that up to 10 per cent of the population, or 400,000 people, are foreign nationals. This figure is similar to countries with a long history of immigration, such as the US and Britain.
The influx of people into Ireland has accelerated in the last two years since the accession of the 10 new EU member states. Latest figures supplied by the Department of Social and Family Affairs show more than 200,000 Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers have been issued to people from former accession countries since May 2004 alone. These changes are certain to have profound implications for the State, the extent of which will only become fully apparent in the years ahead. Already they are contributing to a much more complex and diverse population that is placing new demands on services in areas like education, health and justice.
Yet, despite such a rapid pace of change, many of the figures cited above are just indications of population change. PPS numbers, for example, give us an idea of how many foreign nationals have registered to work, but do not tell us how many are working or whether they have since returned home. If the State and local authorities are to respond effectively to the changing population in Ireland, agencies need high-quality and reliable information. The census, a €50 million undertaking by the CSO which includes the use of about 5,000 temporary staff, is the most effective way of providing an accurate snapshot of the way we live and work today.
There has been some criticism levelled at the CSO over aspects of the census regarding the wording of a new question on ethnicity and the decision to list just five religions by name.
However, the State body embarked on an exhaustive consultation process over the course of almost three years in which these questions, and others, were successfully tested with interest groups and members of the public. If anything, the CSO has taken unprecedented steps in seeking to include people from a diverse range of backgrounds in the preparation of the 2006 census. It has been translated into 11 foreign languages, while supporting documentation is available in a further five foreign languages.
Officials have been keen to stress to the general public - but in particular foreign nationals - that information given is treated as strictly confidential and is used for statistical purposes only.
Ultimately, as the Taoiseach said recently, the census is much more than just a headcount on a Sunday night. It is a window into the future that will give policy makers important insights into how to meet the needs of a changing population. The need for accurate information on the way we live, and are likely to live into the future, is more vital now than ever before. The citizen can only gain by filling in the form.