Census 2011 - Never too late to learn from census

EVEN though the census, taken on April 10, shows that the population of the Republic has grown to 4,581,269 — up 341,421 on the last count — Ireland still has the highest birthrate amongst the 27 European Union countries.

Whether this is down to a cultural proclivity, a natural, robust fecundity or, as the Health Service Executive’s Crisis Pregnancy Programme reported earlier this week, that almost half — 44% — of Irish pregnancies are unplanned is uncertain. Latest figures show some 73,724 births last year, a slight decline on the 74,278 babies born the year before.

However, if we have earned this EU status because of a lack of education, awareness or simple indifference then this is just one of the many issues raised by the census we would do well to address.