Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO) works hard to ensure that the information collected and provided from the census remains current, relevant and of maximum use to the government and the public.

As part of the preparatory work for the 2027 census, the CSO conducted a public consultation by inviting members of the public and various interest groups to make submissions on the topics to be covered, and on the outputs to be produced. A notice to this effect was published in the national press/social media in November 2022 seeking submissions, and all government departments were contacted for their input.

A Census Advisory Group made up of representatives of government departments, public bodies, the social partners and CSO personnel was then convened and made recommendations on the questions to be tested in a census pilot which will be undertaken in the autumn of 2024. A question 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.

The expert group will then assess the results of the Pilot and make recommendations on the content of the Census 2027 questionnaire. The final content of the questionnaire will be submitted for government approval in 2025.