A councillor has raised concerns that two different census years have been used to calculate community funding

Census data concerns have been raised over the distribution of a £1.19m Lisburn and Castlereagh community funding pot.
By Donal McMahon, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 8th Mar 2024, 09:50 GMT
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Sports clubs, community and cultural groups across the district have been assessed for financial support by reviewing a breakdown of national census details.

Castlereagh South Sinn Fein Councillor Ryan Carlin said: “This is a good programme, however I would have some issues around the numbers used in evaluation of funds.

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“The 2021 census figures have been used for the DEAs overall population statistics, but the 2011 census results have been used for the breakdown of religious, political and ethnic groups as well as disability percentages.

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Sinn Féin Lisburn and Castlereagh Councillor Ryan Carlin raised concerns over the census used to allocate community funding. Picture by Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.Sinn Féin Lisburn and Castlereagh Councillor Ryan Carlin raised concerns over the census used to allocate community funding. Picture by Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.
Sinn Féin Lisburn and Castlereagh Councillor Ryan Carlin raised concerns over the census used to allocate community funding. Picture by Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.
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Steps by council officers during a confidential session have raised similar issu...

“Is the earlier census now not out of date?

“Could this have affected any outcomes when we are thinking of things such as good relations projects as well as funding for disability projects? Should alternative figures not have been used?”

A council officer responded: “We can look to see if they have been properly screened for equality of opportunity."

Related topics:CensusCastlereaghLisburn