Explanatory note

These Regulations set out the detailed arrangements necessary for the conduct of the census directed to be taken on the 21st March 2021 by the Census Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (“the Census Order”). They also revoke the provisions of the Census Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010 No.218).

Regulation 4 provides for the division of Northern Ireland into enumeration districts, census team co-ordinator areas and census areas.

Regulation 5 provides for the appointment of persons to carry out the duties assigned to them under these Regulations.

Regulation 7 provides that a person required by the Census Order to make a return at the census will discharge their responsibility when the relevant questionnaire, specified in Schedule 1 and which are set out in full in Schedules 2 to 4 to these Regulations, has been received by the Registrar General.

The paper questionnaire will be as set out in the Schedules. The online questionnaires will be accessed via www.census.gov.uk/ni for households and individuals and www.nisra.gov.uk/Census-CE for communal establishment managers. The websites will also contain information relating to the census with specific reference to the completion and submission of the online questionnaire (e.g. how to start an online questionnaire, the persons to be included, when the census should be completed and how help can be found).

Regulations 8 to 18 provide detailed arrangements for the delivery, completion and return of the questionnaires.

Regulation 19 provides for follow-up action to be taken in the event that a questionnaire sent or delivered in accordance with these regulations is not returned or is returned incomplete.

Regulations 20 to 22 make provision requiring information to be given to prescribed person or a census officer. They also make provision to prevent the unauthorised use, publication and communication of information obtained for the purpose of the census and to ensure the safe custody of forms and documents and electronic devices.

Regulation 23 provides for the giving of an undertaking concerning the confidentiality of information obtained as a result of the census by persons who will have access to that information.

Contravention of the Regulations is an offence under section 7 of the Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 – however under section 7.3 there is no penalty for householders or electors who do not complete the questions on religion or sexual orientation.