Main points
- We are contacting you because you have taken part in the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study for a number of years since you were 9 years old. [More]
- Growing Up in Ireland is funded by the government and carried out by a group of researchers led by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Trinity College Dublin. The Central Statistics Office is hosting the online survey. [More]
- Growing Up in Ireland aims to improve our understanding of all aspects of the lives of children and young people and their development to inform policy to provide better supports and services for them. [More]
- We are now asking for your help to understand the experiences of young adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are asking you to complete a short (about 10 minutes) online survey. The link to the survey and the ID code you need to begin it are in the email we sent you. [More]
- Information collected in the online survey is covered by the Statistics Act, 1993. It is used only to produce statistical analysis and is treated in the strictest confidence. However, if you tell us something outside the answers given to the direct survey questions which causes us to have serious concerns for the welfare of a child, or other vulnerable person, we may have to tell someone who could help. [More]
- You can decide to take part in the survey. You can also decide to change your mind and withdraw from the survey at any time – even after you have completed the survey. If there is any question do not wish to answer, you do not have to do so. You may request access to the information about you on the questionnaires which you complete. [More]
- The questions on your survey will cover your experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. [More]
- To ask a question or find more information, please click here
Detailed Information
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Why are we contacting you?
You were one of more than 8,000 children and young people who first took part in the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) survey when you were 9 years old in 2007/08. Growing Up in Ireland follows the progress of these children and young people over time. This information will improve our understanding of all aspects of the lives and needs of children, young people and their families so as to design better supports and services for them.
We would like you to complete a short online survey on your experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey will help us understand out what effect the pandemic and associated restrictions it has had on you and your family and friends.
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Who is running the study?
Growing Up in Ireland is funded by Government through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). It is overseen and managed by the Department in association with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The study is being carried out by a group of independent researchers led by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). The CSO is hosting the online survey.
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What is the purpose of the study?
Growing Up in Ireland aims to improve our understanding of all aspects of the lives of children and young people and their development. This information will help government to make good decisions about issues relating to children and young people.
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What does taking part involve?
This phase of Growing Up in Ireland will involve a short online survey for you to complete. The online survey is being hosted by the Central Statistics Office. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You have received an invitation to take part by email. The email contains a link to your survey and an ID code. You will need the ID code in order to begin the survey.
If you don’t complete your survey, an interviewer might phone you to see if you received the link and if you have any questions. Interviewers are Garda Vetted and appointed as Officers of Statistics.
Because the Growing Up in Ireland study looks at the development of children and young people over time, you may be asked to participate in a follow-up study in the future. You will have an opportunity at that stage to decide whether or not you wish to participate. Taking part in the Covid-19 Survey does not oblige you to take part in the future.
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How we deal with issues of confidentiality
Information in the Growing Up in Ireland survey is collected under Section 24 of the Statistics Act (1993). This Act provides a legislative basis for the compilation and dissemination of official statistics by the Central Statistics Office. It ensures that the information you provide can only be used for statistical purposes. Your personal details – such as your name, address, telephone number and email address – will remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Growing Up in Ireland Study. Reports based on the survey will not include any information that would identify you.
However, if you tell us something outside the answers given to the direct survey questions which causes them to have serious concerns for the welfare of a child, or other vulnerable person, they may have to tell someone who could help.
In order to make the best use of the information you provide, the Central Statistics Office, operating under the strictest controlled procedures in line with the Statistics Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), may match your data to other types of information. This would only be done for statistical research purposes and the results of the analysis will not in any way allow you or your family to be identified.
For more information see www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/lgdp/csodatapolicies/informationfordataproviders
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What are my rights if I take part?
You are not obliged to take part in this survey and you can chose to skip over a question or withdraw your participation from the study at any time, though it would greatly help us if you do participate and answer all the questions. If you decide not to take part, it will in no way affect any health or educational benefit or social care which you or your family will receive from the State.
You may request access to the information about you on the questionnaires which you complete.
The answers to the survey questions can be used only for statistical research purposes. The information given by you in answer to the questions on the survey will not be seen by anyone else The study’s Respondent Privacy Statement is available here.
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What kind of questions will I be asked?
The questions will cover your experiences since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic: your situation with regard to work or education, how you have been feeling lately, how easy or difficult it is for you make ends meet, changes in your social and leisure activities and, where relevant, your experiences of employment and education.
You can choose to skip over a question or withdraw your participation from the study at any time.
- Your participation will play a major role in the success of Growing Up in Ireland.
- We hope that you can support us with this important work, and we would like to thank you, in advance, for your help.
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Where can I find out more information?
- Email: gui@esri.ie
- Website: Visit growingup.ie
- Social Media: To find out about what researchers have found out so far please follow us on social media:
- Instagram: @growing_up_in_ireland
- Twitter: @GrowingUpIre
- For general information about Covid-19 or the restrictions in place, visit this link
- For other support services, please visit this link
