A media blitz was launched today to persuade the public in the North to "count themselves in" for Northern Ireland's Census 2001.
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Northern Ireland's Minister of Finance Mr Mark Durkan told a press conference at Belfast's Odyssey Centre that details in the forms would be kept strictly confidential.
From Monday the forms will be sent out to 650,000 households across Northern Ireland in preparation for Census Day on April 29th.
A field force of 3,000 workers have been tasked with ensuring that everyone, included the homeless and those living in residential homes, receives a form.
Because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, arrangements have been made to post forms to restricted areas and farm businesses.
Mr Durkan said it was vital that people filled in the forms so the new administration would be able to plan ahead for new roads, schools and hospitals.
"We need a complete Census so that we have the complete picture of our society and the needs and trends that are there," he said.
The Treasury used the statistics for Northern Ireland's share of the budget, so it was important that there were no gaps.
"The information is also used to ensure that millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is targeted effectively at the public services we need most."
A series of television and radio ads will be broadcast in the run up to Census Day to drive home the message that "it's time to post back your completed form".
When the census was last held in the North 10 years ago, there was 99 per cent participation, but some people were prosecuted for refusing to complete the forms.
PA