Census 2022 will take place on Sunday evening, 3 April, after it was postponed last year due to Covid-19.
The census is one of the largest logistical exercises undertaken by the State every five years.
The last census took place in 2016, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government and the CSO decided to postpone it for one year.
There is a legal requirement for everyone in the country on the night of 3 April to have their information recorded on a census form, which includes some changes this year.
Speaking at the launch of Census 2022, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that by counting every single person present in Ireland, the Census provides a uniquely comprehensive account of the population.
"It is far more than a simple counting exercise, the census asks a variety of questions that give us the information that is vital for the planning of public services," he said.
"There is not a single decision taken, on the provision of public services from health to education and housing, that is not shaped in some way by census data."
Mr Martin said that by actively participating in the census people are supporting their communities, ensuring policy decisions are made with an accurate view of each community's needs.
He also said it provides a valuable historic record for future generations to study.
When people are asked about their religious beliefs, 'no religion' will be the first choice on the form followed by Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Islam, Orthodox Christian, Presbyterian and Other.
In 2016, no religion was last on that list.
On the question of people's ethnic group or background, there is now a separate box for the Roma Community in Ireland to identify themselves.
For the first time, the form will include a "Time Capsule", enabling members of the public to write a voluntary and confidential message of their choice which will be securely stored for 100 years.
"If you want to tell us about your life in Ireland in 2022, if your children want to draw a picture, if you want to share a secret family recipe, it is absolutely whatever you want to put in that section," Eileen Murphy, head of census administration at the Central Statistics Office said.
Excluding the time capsule there are eight new questions in total.
These relate to renewable energy sources, childcare, smoke alarms, smoking, working from home, volunteering, internet access and devices, and travelling home from work, school or college.
The Central Statistics Office is legally independent and all the data it collects is confidential.
Ms Murphy said enumerators will begin delivering census forms this morning, and it will take a number of weeks for all the forms to be delivered.
For those who have not received a form closer to 3 April can visit census.ie or call 0818 2022 04.
