Census 2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3, after being postponed for a year due to Covid-19.
The government and the Central Statistics Office decided to delay the logistical exercise carried out every five years because of the pandemic, meaning that the last census was in 2016.
Everyone in Ireland has a legal requirement to record their information on a census form, and failure to do so could result in a hefty fine.
A person found guilty of not recording their information under the Statistics Act, 1993 will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,000 or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €20,000.
Speaking at the launch of Census 2022, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the exercise provides a comprehensive account of the population of Ireland.
He said: "The census, by counting every single person present in Ireland, provides a uniquely comprehensive account of our 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. 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.
"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. The census also provides a valuable historic record for future generations to study. As we mark the Decade of Centenaries, and examine the progress we have made as a nation, it will be fascinating to see what Census 2022 tells us about our country."
This year's census will also include some changes.
The order in which religious beliefs appear on census 2022 will differ from 2016.
People will now see 'no religion' as 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.
There will also be changes to the question of people's ethnic group or background,
This year's options will include a separate box for the Roma Community in Ireland.
Lastly, a new addition has been made to the form.
A "Time Capsule" box enabling members of the public to write a voluntary and confidential message of their choice will also appear.
The answer to this section will be securely stored for 100 years.
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.
