The Census takes place tonight, and almost all homes in the country should have received their forms.
RTÉ's Social Affairs and Religion Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely explains what the Census is and what you need to do.
What is the Census?
The Census is a count and an account of everyone in the country on one night. It takes place every five years. Last year's Census was postponed due to Covid-19.
The results are widely used across all sectors of society. They provide vital information to help plan for services, such as health, education, transport, childcare and care for the elderly in our communities now and in the future.
When is Census night?
This year it takes place tonight - Sunday, 3 April. Census night is the period between 9pm on 3 April and 7am on 4 April. Essentially, it is the place you will be sleeping on that night.
Can I do it online?
No, the form is a physical document. Enumerators have delivered them to households, hotels, hostels, caravan parks right across the country.
If you still don't have one, you can go on the Census website www.Census.ie or you can contact the CSO by phone to get a form on 0818 202204.
Do I have to do the Census?
It's a legal obligation to complete the Census, and it is everyone's responsibility that their information is included.
What's in a Census form?
There are 24 pages in your Census and the information is confidential. One person per household fills the form.
There are three columns. When you get to the bottom question on a column, go to the top of the next column for the next question.
To mark a box, it's just one line across the centre of the box (-).
What if I make a mistake?
Scribble out the entire box and mark the correct box.
How do I write an answer in the boxes?
If you are writing an answer, each letter gets its own box.
The options on biological sex are male and female, but I don't identify as either. What do I do?
In this case, tick both boxes.
I'm finished answering the questions, what do I do now?
Make sure you have signed the form!
There's a box called a time capsule at the end of the Census, what is this?
This is a new feature and the first time it has been included in a Census.
You are invited to write in your own personal message in this box - it's your choice to do this or not. If you do write a message, it will remain confidential for 100 years.
I'd like to put something in the time capsule, but I don't know what to say.
It doesn't have to be a note. If you have children in your house, you could draw the outline of their hands in the box.
You could put your favourite poem or part of a song or even a recipe in it.
Can I put a photo and attach it to the form as part of the time capsule?
Don't attach anything to the time capsule, because all the forms are scanned by the CSO.
I'm finished. What do I do now?
Your enumerator will return to collect your completed Census form, between 4 April and 6 May.
