A survey exploring the challenges facing Protestant communities in the Border counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Louth, Donegal and Leitrim is under way.
More than 1,000 households will be surveyed as part of the Border Protestant Perspectives study, being conducted by LOCUS management, a Belfast-based local development consultancy.
The findings will be used by a number of county-based discussion groups.
The issue of religious identity forms a major part of the survey, with people being asked if they attend church and if it has a big impact on their lives. Other questions ask about ethnic background, socio-economic status and political outlook.
Participants are also asked their views on the decline of the Protestant community in the Border counties, and on cross-community relations.
Their opinions on the challenges that must be overcome to help bring about reconciliation between the Protestant and Roman Catholic communities are also being sought.
A report based on the survey, which will be completed by the end of June, will be launched this autumn.
Ms Maeve Heaney of LOCUS said the survey was a first. "Nothing of this scale has ever been done before."
