To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel for an update on preparations for the 2011 Census.

Preparations are proceeding on the basis that the next Census will take place on 27 March 2011. There has already been formal consultation on the topic content and users are being kept informed of current thinking through, for example, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s website and ‘Information Day’ events. Census Office conducted a Census Test in 2007, and a Census Rehearsal is currently ongoing. A Census Order and subsequent Census Regulations are required to conduct a Census in 2011 and a draft Order has been submitted for consideration by the First Minister, the deputy First Minister and the Executive.