What is the census?
The census is a count of everybody who usually lives in Ireland. Everyone living in the country must be included.
Census results are used in the planning of healthcare, education, transport and housing services at community, county, and national level.
When is the census taking place?
Ireland’s next census will be held during April and early May 2027.
Will I be able to fill out the census form online?
Yes. This will be the first Irish census to have the option of an online form. Paper forms will still be available too.
Are there other changes to the census?
The census form can be filled out anytime in the five weeks before 9 May 2027. The CSO will be encouraging people to fill out their forms as early as possible during this time. The census will no longer be completed where you are staying on one census night. This means that you will be able to complete the census form for where you usually live. For most people, this will be their home address.
When it is time to complete a census form, people can choose to either log on to census.ie to do the online form or contact the census office to request a paper form. Paper forms will be posted to homes on request. Once completed, they should be posted back to Census HQ using the pre-paid envelope included.
Are there any changes to the census questions?
Yes. Census 2027 has five new questions on parking, mental health, gender, sexual orientation and educational attainment. There are some changes to existing questions also.
How will I know when to take part in Census 2027?
In April 2027, the CSO will send a letter to every home in the country with details on how to complete the census form which can be done online or on paper. There will be a nationwide publicity campaign telling people about the Census. There will be information on this website (census.ie), and a call centre will help people with their queries. Census Field Support Officers will call to homes to offer information, advice and assistance. If you have already completed the census form, they will not call.
Is my information confidential?
Yes, your information is confidential, secure and protected by law. Your personal census data remains protected for 100 years after which it is made public.
Do we have to fill out the census by law?
You are obliged by law to complete and return your census form. Everyone who usually lives in Ireland must be included.
What do you mean by ‘usually lives in Ireland’ for the census?
If you live in Ireland or if you have been living here for the last 12 months or if you have arrived within the last 12 months and intend to stay here for a time of at least 12 months, then you should complete a census form. The CSO sometimes refers to ‘usually resident’ which means the same thing.
Will there be Census Field Staff jobs available?
The CSO will employ temporary field staff in different roles at regional and local level to help us to carry out the census. Three separate recruitments will take place in 2026 and are as follows:
Senior Managers (6 Census Liaison Officers and 46 Regional Supervisors) – applications will open on 22 April 2026.
Census Field Supervisors (466) – applications will be accepted in 07 September 2026.
Census Field Support Officers (3,800 approximately) – applications will be open on 23 November 2026.
Who carries out the Census?
The census is organised by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
When are the 1926 census records published?
The National Archives are publishing the 1926 census forms on Saturday 18 April 2026. Census 1926 was the first census of the newly formed Irish Free State. The CSO are publishing a report called Then and Now: Life in Ireland in 1926 and 2022 on the week of 20 April to complement the release of the 1926 forms by the National Archives.
