Households in Cork asked to take part in census pilot survey

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is asking households in Cork to complete an online pilot survey as part of preparations for Ireland’s next census in 2027.

The 2027 census will be the first in Irish history where the public will have the option to complete the census form online.

Cork is among six counties chosen for the pilot, which is taking place in 44 locations across Ireland.

Participating areas in Cork include parts of Ballincollig, Bishopstown/Curraheen, Douglas Rd, Magazine Rd, Turner’s Cross, and Wilton.

Letters of invitation, which explain how to complete the form online, have been posted to homes in the selected areas.

The letters also explain how to get a paper form, which for the first time should be completed for where you usually live and can be completed up until the official Census Pilot Survey night on September 22.

Households selected for the survey are asked to take part to help the CSO evaluate the online option across a variety of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops.

Census field support officers will also be calling to homes in the selected areas in the coming weeks to tell people about the pilot, and to encourage them to take part.

These officers will be wearing a branded yellow high-vis vest and will be carrying official CSO ID cards.

New questions on the Census Pilot Survey include where a household’s car(s) is/are parked overnight to gather insights on potential placement of electric chargers; whether your gender is the same or different to the sex recorded at birth; sexual orientation, and how you would self-report your mental health.

These new questions, as well as updates to existing census questions, are the result of a public consultation on the potential content of the Census 2027 form.

Once the responses are analysed, they will be used to guide the final recommendations of the Census Advisory Group.

The final content of the Census 2027 form will be subject to Government approval.

Head of census administration, Eileen Murphy, said: “If you receive our letter of invitation for the Census Pilot Survey, please take part.

“We need your help, and we cannot do this without you. By taking the time to complete the survey, you will give us essential feedback on your experience of the online form and whether the questions are understood.”

A detailed list and maps of the six areas in Cork selected to take part are available to view online at CensusPilot.ie.