A series of temporary positions are being created in order to conduct the Irish Census, it has been announced.

The exercise will require thousands of enumerators to collect data across the country, with 5,000 jobs unveiled by the government and applications opening on January 4th 2011.

Sunday April 10th has been designated census night in the country and individuals will be required to distribute and collect forms ahead and after this date, with contracts running for ten weeks from March 8th 2011.

In addition, successful candidates will also answer questions from individuals about the Census and will be scheduled to work at various times of the day and at weekends.

Deirdre Cullen of the Central Statistics Office stated: "We have found, for the most part, that enumerators find it a very rewarding experience and many have done more than one census."

Thousands of temporary jobs were created in the US this year when the nation's ten-year Census took place, while the UK will also appoint temporary workers for its own exercise in 2011.

Posted by Alex Donnell