The Continuous Household Survey (CHS) is one of the largest continuous surveys carried out in Northern Ireland. The survey is designed, conducted and analysed by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). It is based on a sample of the general population resident in private households and has been running since 1983. The Survey is designed to provide a regular source of information on a wide range of social and economic issues relevant to Northern Ireland. The CHS is an important source of information in Northern Ireland and is used by many Government departments and Agencies. Regular clients include the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Culture Arts and Leisure, Regional Developments, Environment, Education, Employment and Learning and NISRA. Further information about the series, including methodology, may be found on the NISRA Central Survey Unit (CSU) Continuous Household Survey web pages. For the second edition of the study in December 2001, income data (Record 11 of the original database) not supplied with the original deposit were added to the dataset. Information about the income variables can be found in the User Guide under 'Income and Benefits' in the 'Interviewer's Instructions - Individual Schedule' and 'Questionnaire - Individual Information' sections. The main topics covered in this study include education, employment, family information, marriage, health, children's health, religion, population, housing, contraception, smoking, drinking, daycare, elderly and income. Some of the questions are based on those asked in the General Household Survey.