Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening to TILDA data?
TILDA has been asked to provide certain study data to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) under Section 30 of the Statistics Act, 1993. This is part of a national approach to making the best use of existing data for official statistics and research that benefits the public.
By securely linking TILDA data with existing administrative health records (e.g. medical card), researchers can gain deeper insights into ageing and health without needing to repeatedly contact participants for additional surveys or information.
Nothing about your participation in TILDA will change:
- You will continue to be invited to take part in the interviews and health assessments.
- Your personal information will remain fully protected with the same strict confidentiality as before.
What is the Central Statistics Office (CSO)?
The CSO is Ireland's national statistical office and has been trusted for more than 75 years to gather, analyse, and publish statistics and insights about Ireland's society, economy, and environment.
This means:
- Confidentiality 1s protected by law which means no individual, household, or enterprise can be identified from the data it publishes.
- It has strict controls around who can access the data within the CSO and can only use data for statistical purposes.
- Protecting confidentiality is at the heart of CSO work practices and it will not share identifiable data with any other agency or government department.
What is Section 30 of the Statistics Act?
Section 30 is a part of Irish law that allows the CSO to access records held by public bodies for statistical research purposes. The aim is to:
- Improve the quality of national statistics.
- Reduce the need for new surveys. Make better use of information already collected.
This approach is used in Ireland and across many other EU countries.
Why is TILDA data being shared with the CSO?
The request was made by the Department of Health, and under Section 30, the CSO has the legal authority to access certain datasets held by public bodies for statistical use. This will:
- Support better national statistics on ageing, health, and wellbeing.
- Help inform policies and services for older people in Ireland. Reduce the need for additional surveys in the future by safely using information that already exists.
- Make fuller use of the valuable information TILDA participants have provided over the years.
Will this affect my participation in TILDA?
No. There are no changes to how you take part in TILDA, the questions you are asked, or your rights as a participant.
Your experience of the study will remain exactly the same.
Are the CSO interested in looking at my individual information?
No. Information held by the CSO can only be used for statistical and research purposes. For example, this work may help answer important public health questions about healthy ageing, access to healthcare, long-term conditions, and how services can better support people in Ireland as they grow older. By law, TILDA data held by the CSO:
- Can only be used for research.
- Cannot be used to make decisions about any individual.
- Cannot be shared with other organisations in identifiable form.
All results published by the CSO are in summary form (for example, statistics about groups of people), not about individuals.
Who can see the TILDA data inside the CSO?
Only specially authorised staff called 'Officers of Statistics' can access the data. They must:
- Sign a legal declaration of secrecy.
- Follow strict confidentiality rules.
- Only use the data for statistical work.
Breaking these rules is a serious legal offence. Access to identifiable information is strictly limited and controlled within the CSO.
Will my personal information be shared with Government departments or other agencies?
No. Under the Statistics Act, data held by the CSO:
- Is strictly confidential.
- Cannot be shared with Government departments or any third party in identifiable form.
What are the benefits of this change?
This development will:
- Increase the impact of TILDA research.
- Help produce better national statistics on ageing.
- Support evidence-based policies and services.
- Reduce the need for additional surveys in the future.
It means that the information participants have already provided can be used more widely to benefit society.
Do I need to do anything?
No action is required. Your participation in TILDA will continue exactly as before.
If you have any questions, you can contact the TILDA team using the contact details below.
TILDA remains committed to protecting your privacy and using your information responsibly. The confidentiality of your data in the CSO is protected by law, and your data will continue to be handled with the highest level of care.
For more information about how confidentiality and trust are central to the CSO's work, you can also visit www.cso.ie/en/trusttransparency/
How can I contact TILDA with questions
Phone: 01 896 2509
Email: tilda@tcd.ie
How can I contact the CSO with questions
Phone: 1800 313 414
Email: information@cso.ie