The countdown is on to Census night, which takes place on Sunday, April 3 this year.
Millions of people across Ireland are required to fill out the form, which is a count and account of everyone in the country on that night.
There are 11 household questions and 33 questions to be completed for up to six individual people who are present in the household on census night. Topics include age, marital status, gender, place of birth, occupation and housing characteristics.
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The Census happens every five years. It was supposed to take place last year but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Census Enumerator has already delivered forms to homes and they are due to return to collect it between April 4 and May 6.
Everyone is legally obliged to complete or be included in the Census form.
The Statistics Act, 1993 is the basic legislation covering all surveys carried out by the Central Statistics Office, including the Census.
Section 25 of the Act enables the Taoiseach to make Orders requiring people to provide information under the Act, while Sections 26 and 27 of the Act provide for the Director General of the CSO to require people to complete and return a form, following the making of such an Order by the Taoiseach.
A major warning has been blatantly written on the front of Census 2022 form, alerting people that they could be fined up to €44,440 in certain circumstances.
The 'Legal obligation to participate' section, reads: “This is a Notice under Section 26 of the Statistics Act 1993. The Census is being taken under the Statistics Act 1993 and the Statistics (Census of Population) Order 2020.
“Under Sections 26 and 27 of the Statistics Act 1993, you are obliged by law to complete and return this form.
“Only the Time Capsule section of this form is voluntary, under Section 24 of the Statistics Act 1993. This means that you are not obliged to complete that section.
“Any person who fails or refuses to provide this information or who knowingly provides false information may be subject to a fine of up to €44,440.”
Below are the mistakes to avoid if you don't want to end up with a hefty fine.
- Fail to provide information requested in a statutory inquiry (Section 36)
- Prevent an Officer of Statistics (i.e. a CSO staff member or field officer) carrying out her/his duties (Section 37)
- Obstruct the Director General or an Officer of Statistics in the exercise of her/his functions under the Act (Section 40)
- Wilfully destroy, damage or falsify any document or record issued for the collection of statistics for a statutory inquiry (Section 42)
- Provide information, written or oral, or deliver a document, knowing it to be false, in purported compliance with a requirement under the Act (Section 43)
Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine up to €2,500, or on conviction on indictment to a fine up to €44,440.
READ MORE: The key mistakes on the Census of Ireland that could cost you up to €45,000 if you're not careful
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