IDS Large Print Info Sheet

This is information about the Irish Disability Survey (IDS). You will learn a bit more about our survey, the CSO, how to take part, and how you can contact us regarding to your participation.

You might have received a letter from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the official, independent collector and publisher of statistics about Ireland. In addition to the Census, we regularly undertake general and specific surveys of households and individuals. Every week CSO interviewers conduct surveys in over 3,000 households, all through the year, talking to people and gathering information from across the country. These surveys give us a very accurate picture of the economic and social situation of the citizens of Ireland, in a way and with a level of detail that no one else can gain.

We would like to invite you to take part in the Irish Disability Survey (IDS). The IDS is a voluntary survey of individuals, which collects information about various areas of life and experiences of both disabled people and non-disabled people. For example, it will provide information on participants use of health services, education, transport, and employment.

You have been randomly selected to take part in the IDS. As we cannot survey every person in the state for the IDS, your participation is extremely important, because you represent similar people who have not been selected.

Taking part in the IDS is very important because we get all our facts directly from you, so that when we quote figures you know they’re accurate, because you told us.

The information we get directly from you through the IDS will give us a clear picture of the lives of disabled people, showing the situation at national and regional level. It is important that those with and without disabilities take part to ensure the data is reliable.

The statistics we will produce will be used by individuals, non-governmental organisations and charities, local authorities and national government to inform decisions. These statistics will help to create policies that help provide public services where and when they’re needed most. We need as many people as possible to take part to ensure the data that is collected represents the lives and experiences of everyone in Ireland. We depend on your information, so if you are asked to take part, please do so because your voice matters.

The IDS survey includes questions on various topics, including:

• Functional difficulties, such as a difficulty walking, seeing, or learning 
• Use or need of health services
• Use of public transport services
• Factors that prevent participation in social activities
• Factors that prevent participation in employment or education

Absolutely. The Statistics Act, 1993 sets stringent confidentiality and data protection standards – data can be used for statistics only: no details that might identify a person or business can be given to any government department or body.

That means we will never share your personal details with anyone, including any government department or office. Ever.

So, if you are asked to take part in one of our surveys, rest assured that everything you tell us is very important, but completely confidential.

The Data Protection Transparency Notice for the survey can be accessed on our website.

You can take part online (Q4 2026) or with a CSO interviewer (Q1 2027). 
If you wish to participate in the online survey, you can:

1. Scan the QR code in the letter using a mobile device, or copy or type the link into a browser: https://socialsurveys.cso.ie/weblogin/
2. Then enter your access key.
3. Please complete the survey within two weeks of receiving the invitation letter.

If you have not completed online, an interviewer might call to meet you at home to complete the survey with you in Q1 2027.

Preferably, we would like to hear directly from you, because your voice matters. You can find support materials to complete the survey on our website. If needed, a family member or friend can also assist you to answer to the IDS. 

Alternatively, if you would like someone from the CSO to assist you, you can call us on 021 453 5110 (Mon to Fri: 9.00-17.00) or email CSOTakePart@cso.ie, and the IDS team will arrange an interviewer to help you complete the survey.

A parent or guardian will be asked to complete the survey on behalf of children who are under 15 years old.

If you would like to speak to someone about participating in the survey or for more information about it, please call us on 021 453 5110 (Mon to Fri: 9.00-17.00) or email CSOTakePart@cso.ie

You can also find out more about the Irish Disability Survey on the CSO website.

On the website, you can find more information about the IDS in alternate formats. Alternate format means you can get the information in a way that meets your needs.