Questions on nationality, disability, computer ownership, internet access, membership of the Traveller community, and voluntary care work are to be included in the forthcoming census.
"All these are issues of current policy concern," said Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Séamus Brennan, yesterday. He announced details of the census, which will take place on Sunday, April 28th.
The survey, which will cost about €40 million, was postponed last year due to foot-and-mouth.
"We are all aware that Ireland has experienced huge demographic and social change since the last census was undertaken in 1996," said Mr Brennan.
He said the question of nationality, for example, was "obviously a sensitive area, but is important for the new Ireland".
Mr Donal Garvey, director general of the Central Statistics Office, said two questions on disability were to be included for the first time. One concerns long-lasting conditions, such as blindness, deafness, and conditions which substantially limit a person's basic physical activities.
The other focuses on physical, mental or emotional conditions which last six months or more and which may affect learning, concentration or work. "There is huge need to develop policy" in response to these needs, said Mr Garvey.
The census also asks if a person provides "regular, unpaid personal help for a friend or a family member".
There are also questions on travelling to work, which Mr Garvey says will mostly concern people in urban areas. A question on whether respondents are members of the Traveller community is also included. Other new questions concern third-level qualifications and labour market participation.
The population of the State is expected to have increased from from just over 3.6 million to about 3.9 million.