<\/span><\/h3>\nThe compilation of statistics commenced in the first half of the 19th<\/sup> century.\u00a0 The first comprehensive population census was undertaken in 1841.\u00a0 Marriage, births and death statistics were maintained after commencement \u00a0of the relevant legislation.<\/p>\nThe statistics branch was established within the Department of Industry and Commerce in 1922 and was ultimately given statutory effect in the Statistics Act, 1926. The CSO was established in 1949.<\/p>\n
The Statistics Act 1993 reconstituted the Central Statistics Office.\u00a0 The office was originally formed under the Statistics Act 1926.<\/p>\n
The Act establishes the CSO as an independent body or office.\u00a0 It is \u00a0established as the National Statistics Board which with the agreement of the Taoiseach is to have the general function of guarding the strategic direction of the office. The members of the office are civil servants of the State.<\/p>\n
<\/span>CSO<\/span><\/h3>\nThe functions of the office are the collection, compilation, extraction, and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to the economic, social and general activities and conditions in the state.\u00a0 The office has authority to coordinate official statistics compiled by other public authorities.<\/p>\n
It may in particular require adherence to statistical standards and the use of appropriate classifications by other bodies. The office has access to records maintained by public authority and is entitled to use such records.<\/p>\n
The office is independent in the exercise of its functions.\u00a0 The Director General has sole responsibility for the methodology, professional standards, statistical releases and publications, of the office.\u00a0 The Director General has a direct right to consult the Taoiseach concerning matters affecting the office.<\/p>\n
<\/span>National Statistics Board<\/span><\/h3>\nThe National Statistics Board consists of eight members.\u00a0 Seven are appointed by the Taoiseach.\u00a0 Five persons are to be of a proven ability and expertise in the relevant fields.\u00a0 The others are to be the assistant secretary of the Department of Taoiseach and the Department of Finance or equivalent or higher grade.\u00a0 Appointees hold their office for two to six years.<\/p>\n
The board is to establish priorities for the compilation and \u00a0development of official statistics, assess, staffing and resources requirements arbitrating on conflicts, subject to the final decision of the Taoiseach, which may arise between other public authorities relating to the extraction of statistics. Officers of the department office are subject to secrecy requirements.<\/p>\n
The Director General may require forms, questionnaires, records, for the collection of information.\u00a0 He may specify the dates and periods in which the forms, questionnaires and records must be returned to the CSO.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Collection of Information<\/span><\/h3>\nInformation may be sought and invited on a voluntary basis.\u00a0 All such information is subject to the restrictions and protections mentioned below.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach may, by order make a requirement binding on persons or businesses to provide statistical information.\u00a0 It may specify the general nature of the information, the frequency to be required, the classes of persons and undertakings affected.<\/p>\n
A separate order is to be made for every separate commencement of a survey at intervals of at least 12 months.\u00a0 An order must be made at least every five years for continuing surveys undertaken at intervals of less than 12 months.<\/p>\n
The Director General or an officer of the CSO may make a requirement to direct by the delivery of a notice to \u00a0any person to complete a statistical return, answer questions or supply records by a specified date or within a specified period. The notice may be given to an individual at his last known residence, employment, or business.\u00a0 In the case of a company, it may be sent to its premises at which it conducts its affairs, place of business or residence or place of management.<\/p>\n
Where information is required, \u00a0addressees must furnish the relevant information.\u00a0 In the cases of businesses and companies it applies to partners, directors, managers, liquidators, receivers, etc.<\/p>\n
Information supplied for statistical compilation may be used only for the purpose of compilation and statistics.\u00a0 Information obtained in relation to an identifiable person may not be disclosed without that person\u2019s written consent.\u00a0 In the case of a deceased person, the consent of his next of kin or personal representative is required.\u00a0 Any disclosure is an offence. The restrictions on identification cease 100 years after a census.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Powers of Officer<\/span><\/h3>\nAn officer of the department office is entitled at all reasonable times on production of proof of his appointment to enter premises for the purpose of delivering a notice, collecting questionnaires and records and making any enquiries for which he has authority under the act.<\/p>\n
The office has access to the records of public authority.\u00a0 Notices may be given to public authorities requiring officers at reasonable times \u00a0access to, and the right to take copies of records within their \u00a0charge.\u00a0 It may require returns and copies of extracts of records.<\/p>\n
The power does not apply to records relating to courts, Garda Siochana, prisons, or the ombudsman.\u00a0 It does not apply to medical records which are not publicly available, unless the Minister for Health\u2019s consent is given.<\/p>\n
The requirement applies notwithstanding anything contained in other enactments other than those for the provision of protection of public order and security of the state.<\/p>\n
The office may require public authorities to consult and cooperate for the purpose of assessing the potential of records as a source of statistical information, developing its recording methods and, assistance for statistical purposes.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Failure to Comply<\/span><\/h3>\nA person who fails to provide requested information in response to a request by the Director General or fails to comply with a requirement is guilty of an offence.\u00a0 It is an offence to prevent an officer from carrying out his duties.\u00a0 It is an offence by an officer of statistics to misuse information.\u00a0 It is an offence to impersonate an officer of the CSO.<\/p>\n
It is an offence to provide false information in a material manner knowing it to be false.\u00a0 The penalty is subject on summary conviction to a fine up to \u20ac1270, on indictment \u00a320,000.\u00a0A document purporting to be signed on behalf of the CSO is presumptive evidence of its content.<\/p>\n
The CSO collects and publishes a very wide range of statistics. It provides a range of information services.\u00a0 It maintains a website carrying many of the main statistics.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Business Statistics<\/span><\/h3>\nStatistics on trade, balance of payments and financial accounts requires a significant amount of information from business involved in transactions with an international element.\u00a0 It applies to purchase and sale of goods and services abroad, receipt of income from abroad, particulars of shareholders and ownership instruments in any business, particulars of the value of transaction in respect of financial instruments, \u00a0claims and, financial liabilities. The information may be returned in electronic form by businesses.<\/p>\n
The business accounts survey requires information in relation to economic activities.\u00a0 It requires a range of statistical information to be returned by businesses, including details of employees, stock, monies, trading transactions, capital assets.\u00a0 The returns may be made electronically.<\/p>\n
There are statistical records in relation to business expenditure on \u00a0research and development.\u00a0 It requires range of information on R&D and R&D related activities.<\/p>\n
The Business Registers Order applies to most businesses undertaking economic activities.\u00a0 Information of a general nature in the order must be returned annually.\u00a0 This includes details of names, trading names,<\/p>\n