There is plenty of time to fill in census forms, says Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer.

Census letters went out last week and residents are being urged to go online to supply information.

Although census night is Sunday, it can be filled in online before then.

But many took to social media at the weekend to complain how long it took to complete the process online, while Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) told the House of Keys the letters had also caused concern to those who did not have online access. He said census office helplines were not open over the weekend for those who had queries or wanted to request a paper form.

He was given permission to table an urgent question on the issue on Tuesday.

’I was phoned by a lady who was in tears, really concerned, that she had still been unable to get through to people on the call line,’ said Mr Moorhouse.

He was backed by Rob Callister (Onchan), who said he went online and could ’understand why people are quite daunted by the amount of information that is required’.

Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer said: ’The census office was operational before the letters went out. Calls were being taken by the team on the first day that the letters were delivered to households.

’Similarly the online form was available from the moment letters arrived on the doorsteps. The census office did and is experiencing a very high number of calls, which is why some people may have struggled to get through last week.

’People do have plenty of time to complete their census form.

’While census night itself is on May 30, individuals will have to June 14 before the chasing process begins, which will initially be by visits by census officers to help households complete the form.’

He said there had been a problem with the messaging system being turned off by Manx Telecom over the weekend but that had been resolved.

Mr Moorhouse called for paper census forms to be made available at post offices, commissioners’ offices and other public buildings to help the ’digitally excluded’. He also suggested a download and print version on the website.

Mr Harmer said he would consider the suggestions but said there was a ’logical’ issue with printing out a downloadable form, because the person would already have digital access.