Tick the Irish box

Published: 18th March, 2011

• WITH many thousands of people from Ireland living in Islington, the Federation of Irish Societies is running an awareness campaign to encourage first, second and third generation Irish to register their ethnicity in this year’s census. 

As the population struggles to complete the census forms by the deadline on March 27, Irish groups believe there is persistent under-counting of their community. 

Ten years ago, when the last census was taken, up to half a million people of Irish descent thought the Irish tick box didn’t apply to them. 

 The ethnicity box on the census form attempts to make clear this is a question about Irish roots and identity – not about your passport or place of birth.

Census statistics inform millions of decisions made by public authorities and businesses that are trying to meet demand for goods and services and distribute resources fairly. Under-representation means the needs of the weak and vulnerable members of our community are overlooked. Health issues specific to our community go undiagnosed and untreated. 

Being Irish, we are proud of our cultural heritage and care about the wellbeing of our community. On Census Day the word is: “Tick the Irish box.”

For further information, visit www.howirishareyou.org.
Alexander Smith 
Federation of Irish Societies
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