Not Completing Census Form

Quitelife · 03-04-2022 08:52AM #1

Talking to a previous Census collector one wonders how accurate the Census actually is.

Shes not doing it this time round due to her experiences in 2016, in her town in rural Munster for census there was a large extended Irish family ( circa 2/300) many involved in criminality where the vast majority didnt fill in census form when she called to collect. When she kept calling back for it she was threatened and the usual guff that we can do what we want etc.

Finding a guard to report to was a challenge in itself but the approach was it was a waste of time chasing up that crowd to fill in their census form . They'd go after law abiding people to complete it but not a certain section of Irish society, the smokescreen round their numbers helps in some way??.

Makes you wonder how accurate the Census is, 97% ??

lawrencesummers · 03-04-2022 08:58AM

There are certain ethnic minorities in this country that have very low levels of literacy and they can sometimes react angrily when asked to do something that involves reading or writing.

Maybe your friend took the wrong approach, (or was not directed properly by her employers) on how to deal with certain ethnic minorities in getting them to comply with the information gathering.

And have no doubt that it is not perfect, but 97% of information is better than no information and the census plays a vital role in shaping many decisions.

03-04-2022 09:01AM

They’d fill it out if it was linked to social welfare payments.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 09:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873090#Comment_118873090

I think its a bit unfair to say someone took the wrong approach... Its their employers fault for enforcing rules on some and letting others do as they please... I think any who has the literacy to get all welfare payments would be able to fill census form...

magicbastarder · 03-04-2022 09:19AM

Makes you wonder how accurate the Census is, 97% ??

i suspect the main issue is that as the census is the main way of determining the size of the population, you don't know how big the actual population is to determine the actual rate of returns.

another issue would be a lot of people who have arrived in ireland in the last decade or three would come from countries with governments that have been oppressive well within living memory, and many of those people would have a natural mistrust of this sort of governmental tallying.

dxhound2005 · 03-04-2022 09:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058240012/not-completing-census-form

She shouldn't be discussing her work with you.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 09:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873129#Comment_118873129

Why not... is it against the law...

lawrencesummers · 03-04-2022 09:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873104#Comment_118873104

How do you know they filled in forms for welfare

dxhound2005 · 03-04-2022 09:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873135#Comment_118873135

All staff involved in the census, including staff of the company processing the data on the CSO’s behalf, are Officers of Statistics. This means that they are legally required by the Statistics Act 1993 to make sure that your data remains confidential.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 09:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873137#Comment_118873137

You may right... they may very well have good paid jobs... I was assuming they have not... I expect the OP will confirm... most criminals are on payment...

Dr Turk Turkelton · 03-04-2022 09:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873145#Comment_118873145

But if they didn't supply any data then surely there can be no breach?

dxhound2005 · 03-04-2022 09:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873151#Comment_118873151

Even supplying the information that named families did not complete the form could be a breach. Enumerators should not discuss their work with anyone not authorised.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 09:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873156#Comment_118873156

What planet are you on... hundreds of people can do as they please and this person can be censored for chatting to a friend...

dxhound2005 · 03-04-2022 09:45AM

......they could tell....other people about...stuff they saw at your....house, and you would be OK with...that?

corner of hells · 03-04-2022 09:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058240012/not-completing-census-form

Change the thread title to a "thread about travellers and the census ".

At least be honest about what you want to complain about.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 09:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873184#Comment_118873184

We are talking about someone not filling out a form here... we are not talking about each other...

fryup · 03-04-2022 09:55AM

Genuine question - has anybody heard of or know of ANYONE being sent to prison or fined for not filling in the census form??? 😶

there must be thousands out there who don't do it

03-04-2022 09:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873135#Comment_118873135

Yes

BrianD3 · 03-04-2022 09:57AM

Regardless of the threat of a 44k fine, filling in the form and cooperating with enumerators is something that requires buy in to the social contract. Leaving aside certain ethnic groups (who do what they want in every situation) I could see others not bothering with the form. Public services are in a shambles and people are more aware of this than ever thanks to social media. A lot of angry people out there. If you've sat for 10 hours on a chair in A&E and now this state is demanding that you fill in the census form so it can plan for the provision of public services - ah fcuk off.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 10:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873230#Comment_118873230

Tell me what law is broken... discussing a blank form is not breaking the law for me... if the person is named its different...

Xander10 · 03-04-2022 10:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873090#Comment_118873090

If you look at the census forms from 1901 & 1911, you might note that many, including your ancestors, could not read or write. That didn't hinder the forms been submitted.

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873308#Comment_118873308

The OP referred to criminals... unlikely they be travelers...

03-04-2022 10:27AM

Yes OP I rented for years and shared with a few foreigners who couldn't be bothered with it. It didn't really mean a whole pile to them, they were only here to work for a year or two etc.

Had an aunt giving out the forms years ago in the countryside too and it was a job to get in with people working away from home commuting and gated properties.

It's hit & miss with accuracy but realistically the CSO and government planners likely expect to take some of that into account.

dxhound2005 · 03-04-2022 10:29AM

They also referred to what the enumerator told them about their report to the Gardai. I would not want someone like that doing my census.

SuperBowserWorld · 03-04-2022 10:39AM

Wouldn't it make sense for people to give the details once a year when doing tax returns and or claiming dole etc ... Online or over the phone.

It could be a more accurate regular rolling average then rather than the expensive dinosaur method that's employed currently.

Mad_maxx · 03-04-2022 10:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058240012/not-completing-census-form

Ah now come on , it's a form of bigotry to expect travellers to comply with census rules

They have an unofficial exemption

Mad_maxx · 03-04-2022 10:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873090#Comment_118873090

Who ever said WOKEness isn't funny ?

maestroamado · 03-04-2022 10:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873337#Comment_118873337

I think they said "finding a Garda"... to report to... Its interesting because the census is one one day so a person could be anywhere on the day if they choose not to be counted.

I have heard of people traveling to NI avoid being counted... Can the form be filled any time today... no point in me doing a runner as i am there from last time and the only thing that has changed is my age...