Literal question
Q.20 Occupation ___
If at work, state here the usual principal occupation, giving a full description. If unemployed or retired, describe the principal occupation previously held. Persons described as farmers or farm workers should also state the area of the land currently/previously farmed. For students or persons at school state the type of school (secondary, community, vocational, university, etc.).
Explanatory notes
Question 20: Occupation
(i) If at work, state the usual principal occupation: i.e., that by which the living is mainly earned.
(ii) If unemployed or retired, describe the principal occupation previously held.
(iii) In all cases, describe the occupation fully and precisely using any special name by which the job is known and stating the type of work done. The following are examples of the types of occupational descriptions which should be used: "Hosiery machine operator", "Dock laborer", "Gas fitter", "Ticket checker", "Woodworking machinist", "Builder's laborer", "Electrical fitter", "Goods checker", "Sound technician", "Civil engineer", "Garage foreman", "Radio mechanic", "Laboratory technician", "Electrical engineer", "Site foreman", "Motor mechanic".
General terms such as "Machine operator", "Technician", "Laborer", "Engineer", "Fitter", "Foreman", "Checker", "Mechanic" should not be used alone.
(iv) For civil servants and local government employees, the grade should be stated. For Army or Garda personnel, the rank should be stated.
(v) For teachers, the branch of teaching should be stated: i.e., "Primary teacher", "Vocational teacher", etc.
(vi) For clergy and members of religious orders engaged in teaching or other service, a full description should be given, such as "Christian brother, primary teacher", "Nun, general hospital nurse", etc.
Interviewer instructions
Q.20: Occupation
You should study the relevant Notes with particular care, as it covers most of the usual difficulties experienced in answering this question. The occupation must be given for every person in Category 1, 3, or 6 at Question 19. The type of educational establishment being attended should be stated for a person in Category 4 at Question 19. You may observe apparent discrepancies between the answers to Questions 19 and 20 (e.g., an occupation stated at Question 20 for a person categorized as "School student" at Question 19) but you need not take any action in this regard. Note however, that there is a tendency for housewives to be described as "Home (or domestic) duties" in reply to the question on Occupation. Such an entry is a valid one only when it relates to a domestic servant and it should be struck out if it is given for a housewife.
Q.24: Farming activity
This question attempts to identify all persons engaged in farming on their own behalf regardless of their principal occupation. Accordingly, there should be a "Yes" entry here (option 1 chosen) in all cases where the occupation "Farmer" is entered at Question 20 and category 1 chosen at Question 19. For other combinations of Questions 19 and 20 either option 2 or 3 is valid. In particular, a farm labourer who does not farm in his spare time for himself should choose option 3.
