The Census provides essential information for planning and decision making.
The government has decided to postpone the 2021 Census until 2022 following advice from the Central Statistics Office.
The CSO said the decision was not made lightly but due to Covid-19 it would be postponed.
Pádraig Dalton, Director General of the CSO said: “The Census of Population is a unique count of everyone present in Ireland on Census night and provides essential information for planning and decision making.
“It is vital that the Census enables everyone in Ireland to participate so that the information gathered reflects all of our needs and can be used to make decisions that benefit us all.”
The Census was due to be held in April 2021, but will instead run in April 2022.
Dalton said the decision was based on a number of factors, including the safety of the public and CSO staff.
“Foremost in the decision making, was the need to ensure the safety of the general public and CSO field staff, coupled with the need to deliver a Census that achieves the highest possible response rate, across all facets of Irish society,” he said.
“Furthermore, the Census of Population is a major logistical operation and COVID-19 restrictions have prevented or delayed many key planning activities from taking place over recent months.”
The year delay will allow the CSO to “undertake a comprehensive, inclusive and safe Census in 2022” which the CSO said will provide valuable and accurate data for the country going forward.
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