MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether it is intended to have the work of taking the Irish census carried out under similar regulations to those operating in the English census office; whether census enumerators will be taken from civilians; and whether the patronage system of task-work to Government clerks in Ireland will be discontinued and an adequate staff, with pay equal to the English employees, will be employed at Charlemont House.
§ MR. ATKINSONIt is not intended to have the work of taking the Irish census carried out under regulations similar to those operating in the English census office as the work of the two Departments is entirely different. Since 1841 the enumerators employed in Ireland have all been members of the Royal Irish Constabulary or Dublin Metropolitan Police, and it is not proposed to depart from this practice on the present occasion. The officials in the Department of the Registrar General who, from their training, are specially qualified to be employed on task-work, will continue to be so employed. In addition to these a number of male and female outdoor task-workers will also be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant. The rates of pay in 1881 and 1891 were found sufficient to secure a competent staff and the same rates will be paid on the occasion of the forthcoming census.