Census to test new question on sexuality
THE Census will test new questions this autumn, including one on sexuality, in a trial run ahead of the full survey in 2027.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has confirmed those taking part in a ‘large-scale’ pilot this autumn will be asked about their sexuality.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has completed public consultation on some of the new questions people want to be asked in the next Census.
One on sexual orientation will be included in the pilot test form.
The purpose of the pilot is to test new questions, changes to existing questions, and new field methodology, in a selection of areas across the country.
‘For the first time, in 2024, an online response option to the census, will be tested,’ Minister Naughton said.
The junior minister was answering a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar, who asked Taoiseach Simon Harris if the CSO is giving consideration to asking about sexual orientation in the Census, as the UK does.
Minister Naughton said a Census Advisory Group made up of representatives of government departments, public bodies, the social partners and CSO personnel has been convened to recommend the questions to be tested in the pilot later this year.
‘The expert group will assess the results of the pilot and make recommendations on the content of the Census 2027 questionnaire,’ she said. ‘The final content of the questionnaire will be submitted for government approval in 2025.’
Minister Naughton said the CSO works to ensure the data collection from the public ‘remains current, relevant and of maximum use to the Government and the public’.
There were over 400 respondents to the public consultation on Census reform.
The last Census was criticised for not having any option for ‘nonbinary’ in the question: ‘What is your sex?’ The 2022 Census also included eight new questions relating to childcare, renewable energy, working from home, internet access and devices, smoking, smoke alarms, volunteering and how people travel to work, school or college.