Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Central Statistics Office, CSO, is responsible for the collection, processing and publication of official statistics on economic, social and general conditions in Ireland. While the main focus is to meet the statistical requirements of Government, the information published by the CSO is also used by other public bodies, and by businesses, universities, research institutes and the general public.

There is a significant international dimension to the work of the CSO. The EU institutions, the IMF, the OECD and other international bodies are all important users of official statistics. These bodies also have a significant role in defining and monitoring standards for the compilation of comparable information; and the CSO subscribes to the standards set out in the UN fundamental principles of official statistics and the European statistics code of practice.

The net allocation in 2013 amounted to €39.758 million and included preparatory funding for the 2016 census of population. In addition, the allocation included funding for the 2013 farm structure survey that was undertaken in June and for a household finance and consumption survey, the first of its kind to be undertaken by the CSO. The net allocation for 2014 is €39.577 million. The allocation provides funding for core outputs and for the following projects: the 2014-15 European health interview survey, the 2014-15 national employment survey, the 2015-16 household budget survey and the 2016 census of population.

The CSO is also implementing a long-term programme of changes in how it organises household surveys so that it can meet future information needs as efficiently as possible. In 2014 the CSO will publish about 300 releases and publications. All of these statistics are published online and members of the public are increasingly aware of, and able to access, statistics and indicators on the social, economic and environmental issues that affect their daily lives. The CSO’s statement of strategy gives priority to delivering the core statistics needed for policy, while keeping a strong focus on cost reduction. The office continues to meet all of its commitments under the public service reform programme; and is implementing a programme of reform and continuous business process improvement in the collection and processing of statistics.

The CSO is taking a lead role in developing the Irish statistical system by working closely with other Departments and public bodies to promote a more coherent approach to meeting data needs through the development of a code of practice for the Irish statistical system and promotion of a national data infrastructure, which will support greater usage of administrative data for statistical purposes. Making better use of data throughout the public sector is an important part of public service reform and will contribute to more evidence-informed decision-making and better measurement of policy outcomes.

Better co-ordination also contributes to reducing the burden on data providers. Between 2008 and 2012, the CSO has continued to reduce the response burden of its non-agricultural business surveys. When measured from 2008, the burden to 2012 has decreased by 33%, exceeding the target reduction of 25% over this timeframe. The CSO Vote for 2014 provides for a total of 660 staff, the same number as 2013. This no change situation reflects the cyclical nature of the work of the office and the introduction of new surveys this year. However, the long-term trend in core staff numbers is significantly downward. In conclusion, I commend the values and principles that inform the CSO’s work. The CSO makes an important contribution to Ireland’s public policy by providing a high-quality and, most importantly, independent statistical service.