2011 Census - Frequently Asked Questions
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The 2011 Census – frequently asked questionsIs
it safe, secure and confidential? Will
individuals or households be identifiable from published statistics? How
should I fill in the questionnaire? How did you
decide which questions to ask? How
many questions are there on the questionnaire? I
am visually impaired, how can I complete my questionnaire? Will
translations of the questionnaire be available? I
am not from the UK, do I need to complete a questionnaire? What about anyone who is away from home on
Census
night? Can
I complete my questionnaire online? A census
provides an estimate of the population of Everyone is
asked the same questions on the same day so that we get a snapshot
of the population. This information is used to estimate the number
of people and households in each area, and their characteristics. The census is organised by the Northern Ireland Statistics
and Research Agency (NISRA), headed by the Registrar General, and
overseen by professional statisticians. NISRA works with the census
offices for To
help tomorrow take shape. If we know how many people live in Population
–
Knowing how many people live in an area helps central government
allocate funding. Local government also use this data to plan who
needs what in their local areas. Health
and disability
– Health
services and policies are planned around the census data so that the
necessary services are provided to those who
need it. Housing
– Housing
needs can be much better planned if we know what the demand is now
and likely to be in the future. Employment
– By
establishing how many people work in different occupations and
industries, census information can be used to help plan jobs and training
policies. Ethnic
groups
– Census
information can be used to help allocate resources and monitor
policies to ensure that all groups are treated equally. Transport
– Identifying
how and where people travel to work and study will help us
understand the pressures on our transport systems and improve
planning for roads and public transport. Is
it safe, secure and confidential? Yes. We’ve made it a top priority to keep your census
data secure and confidential. Everyone working with personal census details is security
checked and must sign an undertaking that they will protect the
privacy of information. After collection, the Northern Ireland
Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) will own the data. The data
will be protected by law and will not leave the Will
individuals or households be identifiable from published statistics? Data security and confidentiality carries the highest priority for the Census. Names and addresses are retained purely for Census purposes and are removed from the data we use for our day to day tabulation work - they are not accessible to anyone requesting Census data. The Census itself is compulsory - if
you don’t take part, the results won’t show complete information
about your local area and it might not get its fair share of funding
for the next 10 years.
How
should I fill in the questionnaire? We have done our best to develop an easy to use
questionnaire. However, if you have any difficulties, assistance
will be available online, by telephone and from Census field staff.
There will also be guidance available in other formats, such as
large print and a number of different languages. How
did you decide which questions to ask? In deciding which topics to cover we have consulted
widely. The cases made for specific topics by census users were
balanced against the public acceptability of the questions, and
whether or not they can be asked in a way that gives reliable
information, and alternative methods of collecting information. The questions to be asked in 2011 will be subject to the
approval of the Northern Ireland Assembly. There are questions about
the household as a whole and about each person usually resident in
the household. Additionally there is also space for basic
information about visitors present on census night. How
many questions are there on the questionnaire? There
are 59 questions in total. 14 are about the household and its
accommodation and 45 questions are for each individual member of the
household to complete. Most questions that are
planned for the 2011 Census questionnaire and most can be answered
by a simple tick. I am visually impaired, how can I complete my
questionnaire? A
copy of the 2009 census rehearsal questions and information booklet
will be available in large print. Will
translations of the questionnaire be available? Translations of the census questions and information
booklets will be available in a number of different languages to assist
you. We have carried out research on the most used languages in
Northern Ireland, and the translations available will be based on
this. I
am not from the UK, will I need to complete a questionnaire? Yes, the census should be completed by all regardless of
nationality. We call this type of accommodation a "communal
establishment". Special arrangements will be made for the
enumeration of large communal establishments. What
about anyone who is away from home on Census
night? You
need to include anyone who usually lives in your household but is
away from home on Census night. Further guidance will be provided on
the questionnaire. Will
I be able to complete my questionnaire online? Yes, for the first time you will have the option of
completing your questionnaire online. You will still have the option
to complete and return your paper questionnaire. |
