Census limited by shortage of funds

A senior census official has admitted this year’s version of the vital national questionnaire will be unable to keep up with developments in Irish society because it was not given enough funds to examine potential population change issues.

A leading official at the State group confirmed the situation at the launch of the April 24 version of the key planning document at Government Buildings yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference attended by caretaker taoiseach Enda Kenny, senior statistician Deirdre Cullen said the latest version of the five-yearly national questionnaire will be identical to the 2011 version — apart from a single change to account for last year’s marriage equality referendum.