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Case Studies How CACI helps the Central Statistics Office (CSO) deliver national-scale data systems

Case study

How CACI helps the Central Statistics Office (CSO) deliver national-scale data systems

Summary

Since 2001, CACI has been a trusted partner of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ireland’s national statistical agency. We’ve successfully delivered the Census Processing System (CPS) for five consecutive Irish censuses: 2002, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2022, and are currently contracted for Census 2027, Ireland’s first online census.

CACI plays a vital role in enabling the CSO to design, manage and process millions of census returns through innovative form design, advanced data capture and secure IT infrastructure. Our work ensures that every response, paper or online, is processed accurately and efficiently, delivering trusted data that powers national decision-making.

Company size

1,000+

Industry

National Statistics & Public Data

Products used

Census Processing System (CPS)

Challenge

The Irish census is a major national operation, requiring four years of planning, a six-month processing window and publication of initial results within a year. In 2022, the CSO expanded its workforce by approximately 5,500 temporary staff to support the distribution and collection of over two million census forms across Ireland.

High-quality form design and printing were essential, not only for public confidence, but for accurate and efficient data capture. Once collected, the data was processed using CACI’s Census Processing System, which handled over 48 million completed page images with speed, precision and confidentiality.

Solution

CACI delivered a structured, end-to-end solution through five integrated workstreams: Print, Infrastructure, Data Capture & Coding, Training, and Support & Maintenance, each with clear deliverables, milestones and governance.

Key elements included:

  • Infrastructure & system delivery: Designed, installed and tested scanning and server infrastructure for CSO, alongside a robust processing system tailored to the 2022 census requirements.
  • Rigorous testing & support: Extensive system testing and onsite support throughout live census processing operations (Jan 2022–Mar 2023).
  • Data readiness & training: Database preparation and tailored training for CSO staff.
  • Print & data capture services: Managed typesetting, printing and delivery of over 2 million high-quality census forms.
  • Comprehensive system capabilities: Delivered a full suite of tools covering all stages of the census workflow:
    • Warehouse & document handling: Form registration, box management, re-scribe processing, scanning, image correction and intelligent character recognition (ICR).
    • Automated & operator-driven coding: Modules for Dwelling, Person, Communal Establishment, Family Nucleus, Industry & Occupation, Statistician-led data repair, Derived Variables and Statistical post-processing with automated clean-up rules.

Results

All contractual milestones and service levels were met or exceeded. The CSO confirmed the successful delivery of high-quality data outputs, supporting timely and accurate publications.

Looking ahead to Census 2027, CACI aims to continue delivering excellence, supporting the CSO with reliable systems, trusted data and domain expertise that inform government decisions and public spending.

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