Continuous Household Survey Bulletin 2008/09

The Continuous Household Survey Bulletin 2008/09 was published today by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

The bulletin provides summary information as well as some trend data from previous years. It includes information on renewable energy, recycling, internet access, health, smoking, drinking, voluntary work, parental involvement in children's education and job applications.

The Survey’s key findings include:

• Almost all households (97%) had at least one form of energy saving measures; with the most common being double glazing (84%), loft insulation (83%) and hot water cylinder insulation (77%).
• The factors considered most effective at making people more energy efficient were educating children in school (88%), clearer information on running costs when buying appliances (85%) and better labelling on appliances (83%).
• The majority of households (92%) regularly recycled at least one of the following glass, paper and cans, a similar level to the previous year (91%). The proportion of households regularly recycling paper (91%) and glass (85%) has increased significantly every year since 2003-04.
• Over half (55%) of households used energy saving light bulbs an increase from 51% the previous year. 41% had reduced the amount of energy used in the home.
• Half of all households (51%) had broadband internet access an increase from 47% the previous year. Nine out of ten (91%) households with internet access had a broadband connection.
• 61% of individuals reported accessing the internet.
• Just over half (54%) of those who access the internet did so at least once a day, while 29% used the internet several times a week.
• 83% of adults reported their health to be good or fairly good in the previous 12 months.
• A quarter (24%) had a long standing illness which limited their activities, this proportion has remained relatively unchanged since 1997-98 (25%).
• A quarter (24%) of individuals were smokers in 2008-09, the same proportion as in 2007-08 (23%).
• Almost three-quarters (64%) of respondents reported that smoking was not allowed in their home, 20% allowed smoking in certain parts of their home or on certain occasions. 62% did not allow smoking in any of their family cars.
• 66% of smokers had tried to quit smoking at least once. Of those who had tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking 80% had suddenly stopped smoking while the rest had gradually cut down the number of cigarette smoked.
• Three-quarters (74%) of adults aged 18 years or more drank alcohol in 2008-09, with more male drinkers than female drinkers (79% and 70% respectively).
• A quarter of individuals (23%) had carried out unpaid work with an organisation that was not solely for their own benefit or that of their family. A quarter of males (25%) had been involved in voluntary work compared to one fifth of females (19%).
• 24% reported doing voluntary work as an individual in their neighbourhood. Keeping in touch with someone who has difficulty getting out and about (34%), looking after a property or a pet for someone who is away (30%), babysitting (26%) and transporting or escorting someone (20%) were the most common activities carried out by people on a voluntary basis.
• Over three-quarters (77%) of pre-school aged children have parents who read to them several times a week or more.
• Nine out of ten (89%) of school aged children had a place set aside in their home for them to do homework.
• 77% of parents attended parent evenings, 25% helped with fundraising and 14% were involved in parent teacher associations evenings whenever there was an opportunity.
• 8% of adults aged between 16 and 74 had applied for at least one job in the previous 12 months, a similar proportion to the previous year (9%). 45% of those who applied were successful in their application and nine out of ten (91%) accepted the job offer.Among those who had applied for a job 77% were full-time positions.

Copies of the bulletin and tables are available from the Central Survey Unit web site at www.csu.nisra.gov.uk where a wide range of additional Continuous Household Survey trend data can also be obtained.

Alternatively, copies of the bulletin and tables can be obtained from:

Email: edel.birrane@dfpni.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.