New questions for Census 2022

How did you pick the new questions/topics?

The CSO held a consultation process in late 2017, inviting views on changes to the census form. Over 400 submissions were received from members of the public, government departments, interest groups and other organisations.

The new and changed questions proposed in these submissions were discussed by the Census Advisory Group, which selected those to be trialled in the census pilot forms.

The Census Pilot survey to test the new questions took place on 23 September 2018. The CSO chose a range of areas which broadly represent the population of Ireland – urban and rural areas, as well as areas with high and low levels of housing vacancy and areas with higher proportions of non-Irish nationals.

The responses given in the questionnaire, and subsequent analysis of them by the CSO, directly informed the decisions on the content of the Census 2022 form.

What are the new questions/topics?

The new questions are on renewable energy sources, internet access and devices, smoke alarms, smoking, working from home, volunteering, childcare and travelling home from work, school or college. These topics were selected after the public consultation and pilot survey described above.

Many other questions – for example those on religion and long-lasting conditions – have also been changed to varying degrees.

Tell me more about the new questions/topics …

Household Question 4: How many working smoke alarms are in your accommodation?

Having working smoke alarms is recognised as a key factor in helping to reduce fires and fire damage in our homes. Your answers will help us to understand the availability and use of smoke alarms.

Household Question 7: does your accommodation use any of the following renewable energy sources?

Renewable energy sources are becoming a more important part of how we deliver heating and electricity to our homes. Your answers here will help to inform policy development and implementation in this area.

Household Question 11: What type of internet connection does your household have?

H11: What type of internet connection does your household have? Mark - the boxes that apply. If connected, which devices access the internet in your household? household have? Mark - the boxes that apply.

Access to the internet at home is now essential for many of our daily activities. This information is needed to understand the availability of, and the need for, internet services across the country.

If you are unsure which category your device(s) should be in, mark box 8 and write in the name of the device(s).

Question 18: do you smoke tobacco products?

Smoking is an important factor in people’s health status and your answers here will help to provide a picture of the prevalence of smoking in our population.

Question 22: what time do you usually leave work, school, college or childcare?

Your answers will provide important information which will help us to understand the return journey home from work/school/college/childcare to give a fuller picture for transport analysis. This will help us to better understand and plan for transport and childcare needs in your area and nationally.

Question 24: Do you regularly engage in helping or voluntary work in any of the following activities without pay?

Volunteers make a vital contribution to many organisations across the country. Your answer will provide a picture of the numbers of volunteers as well as the areas and types of organisations in which they volunteer.

Question 30: If you are at work, do you ever work from home?

Your answers will help us to put together a picture of the numbers of people who work from home, and how often they do so. This will help us to better understand this important element of our employment situation.

Question 37: if you are aged under 15, are you in any type of childcare?

Access to childcare is an important social and economic issue. Together with your answers to the previous childcare-related questions, your answers here will help us to better understand the availability of and need for childcare. They will also help to provide a clearer picture of the types of childcare being used today.

If your child is in more than one type of childcare, please mark the box for the type they spend most time in and write in the time that relates to that childcare type.