Q.  I am looking at my census form and question 22 asks whether I provide regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness or disability. I look after my elderly parents and get Carer’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection. Does this count as payment?

27.03.11

Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit are not considered to be payment for the purposes of the Census so you should answer “yes” to this question. Personal help includes regular daily tasks that the person receiving care is unable to perform for themselves. This will vary depending on the person but typically includes washing, dressing, feeding, shopping and medical visits. It also includes personal supervision essential for the safety and comfort of the person receiving care. There is a calculator on www.census.ie that you can use to work out how many hours a week you spend caring.

The Census website gives detailed information about each question to help you fill in the form correctly. The Central Statistics Office has published a “Step-by-Step Guide to Filling in the Census 2011 Form” in conjunction with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). It is written in Plain English. It includes questions and answers about the census, dates to remember and a glossary of terms.

You can also ask your census enumerator for help if you are unsure about how to answer a question. Census night is Sunday 10 April 2011.

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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