Give me a crash course in . . .

. . . the preliminary census results

So the population's at its highest point in 150 years? I thought people were fleeing this recession-struck isleMost of the population increase recorded over the past five years is down to a very high natural increase in the population; that is, the number of births minus the number of deaths. We have the highest birth rate in the European Union, with more than 70,000 babies born every year. Net immigration over the past five years has also helped push the population up, as significant numbers were still arriving in the country at the tail end of the economic boom. Many people are leaving the country, though in smaller numbers than experts had forecast.

And I hear there are more women than menThere are 43,864 more females than males in the State, resulting in a ratio of 981 males for every 1,000 women. This is a reversal of the trend in the last census. Experts say the change is most likely the result of migrant workers, who are predominantly male, leaving the country in recent times. Dublin had the lowest ratio of males to females (949 males for every 1,000 females). However, the midlands region was the only area to show more males than females, with 1,002 males for every 1,000 females.

And Laois? The fastest growing county? When did it suddenly become the place to be?The population of Laois increased by 20 per cent, more than any other county in the country. It reflects a trend towards high population growth in the so-called commuter belt outside the capital. The other fastest-growing counties were Cavan, Fingal, Meath and Kildare. High property prices in the capital and better roads have been key to the commuter belt extending farther and farther outside the Dublin area.

With all these extra people, it's hardly good news for the Government. We can barely cope as it is, by the sound of thingsThe population stands at about 4.6 million, about 100,000 more than was anticipated by population forecasters. It will place additional pressure on health, education and other public services at a time when the Government is trying to cut back on spending. However, in the longer term, it is good news for the sustainability of the country. We have the youngest population in the EU and the fewest dependants. In contrast, many other EU countries, such as Germany, are facing decreasing populations and higher numbers of dependants, and are trying to encourage people to have more children.

The best news of all is that the Government is cutting the number of TDs. But how's that linked to the census?Fine Gael pledged in its election manifesto to reduce the number of seats in the Dáil by up to 20. Yesterday, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said that, based on the last census results, this target was no longer possible under the Constitution because of the larger than expected rise in the Republic's population. Under the Constitution, there must be a minimum of one TD for every 30,000 people. This means the number of seats to be reduced will be between six and 13. A new constituency commission has been established to examine how constituency boundaries and seats will be affected.

Carl O’Brien