Trial census asks about same-sex partnerships

SAME-SEX civil partnerships will be recognised for the first time in the 168-year history of the census if proposed changes to the questions asked are adopted.

New questions on languages spoken in the home, general health, main field of study and central heating fuel are also being proposed.

A pilot census survey currently under way in 32 areas around the country and involving 10,600 households asks the question “What is your legal marital or same-sex civil partnership status?”, replacing the question, “What is your current marital status?”

The response options also include several references to same-sex civil partnerships, including “In a registered same-sex civil partnership” and “Separated but still legally in a same-sex civil partnership.”

The proposed changes are “in anticipation of it being a legal marital status in Ireland at some future point”, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

This expectation is based on the Government’s publication of the Heads of a Civil Partnership Bill in June 2008, the detailed provisions of which are currently being drawn up by the Attorney General.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the bill is expected to be published this year.

Other proposed changes reflecting changing times include:

* Language: Where previously householders were asked “Can you speak Irish?”, now they are also being asked “Do you speak a language other than English or Irish at home?” and “What is this language?”

* Health: A new question in the pilot survey asks “How is your health in general?” and people are given response options varying from very good to very bad. In the area of disability, the trial census omits reference to learning disabilities.

* Household Fuel: The 2006 Census asked “Does your accommodation have central heating?” The proposed change is “What is the main type of fuel used by the central heating in your accommodation?”

* Education: Previously householders were asked if they held a third-level qualification. The trial census asks “What is your main field of study?”

* Travel: Distance to work/school/college was asked in 2006. Now householders are being asked to name their main mode of transport, including the Dart and Luas.

The trial census, unlike Census 2006, does not ask householders to identify religion or ethnic background. However, Cormac Halpin, CSO senior statistician, said religion is likely to be included in 2011.

He said the proposed changes were being trialled to see how householders react to them and on foot of recommendations made by a census advisory group.

The pilot forms, currently being delivered in parts of counties Dublin, Cork, Monaghan, Kerry, Galway, Laois and Wicklow, include a feedback section for the public. The pilot costs about €250,000 and information gathered is confidential.

* www.cso.ie