NATIONAL STATISTICS BOARD

AGENDA 

Thursday March 21^st, 2024

Room 301, Government Buildings

10.00 to 12.30

National Statistics Board

Minutes

The meeting took place in Room 301, Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin.

Date: Thursday 21st March 2024

Members present: Ms. Anne Vaughan (Chairperson), Ms. Eithne Fitzgerald,
Dr. Clíona Saidléar, Mr. John Shaw, Mr. Jim Scheer, Ms. Emma Cunningham, and Mr. Pádraig Dalton
Non-members in attendance from CSO: Brian Cahill (Secretary), Paul Morrin, Elaine O’Mahoney*¹, Mark Lyons*², and John Byrne*³.

*attended remotely

¹ Attended for items 4, 5 and 6

² Attended for item 4

³ Attended for item 6

Item 1: Minutes of NSB meeting February 22, 2024

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Item 2: CSO Director General’s Report to NSB 

Plan for NSB Statement of Strategy review

The DG’s Report to the National Statistics Board was taken as read and the Board discussed in more detail items including:

Communications of Key Messages:

The Board congratulated the CSO on their innovative communication techniques and the use of infographics and social media to gain publicity for CSO outputs. The Board agreed that it was important to provide graduated level of details to the audience/users. Infographics and other visualisations provide the ‘hook’ which draws the audience into greater depth and detail within the publication.

Importance of Consistency in Survey questions

The Board noted the ongoing challenge of measuring society with survey instruments and the challenge of identifying real change in an indicator as opposed to the change in the willingness of respondents to respond to certain subject matter. The Board were informed of the rigorous design and testing that goes into the development of survey questionnaires which aim to minimise these risks and ensure what is collected reflects the lived experience of respondents and thus society.

Opportunity Historical Statistics:

The Board noted the opportunity for utilising historical statistics around the release of 1926 Census records to inform society and generate publicity.

Access to Microdata:

The CSO’s Researcher Data Portal and the development of Virtual Data Rooms provide approved researchers with the opportunity to access microdata to undertake their work. Access to Researcher Microdata is limited to within the State so as the Statistics Act applies.

Categorisation of Sex and Gender:

The Board discussed the standardised classifications that are being rolled out by CSO as part of the National Data Infrastructure+ (NDI+). The NDI+ is being implemented initially by the main Public Sector Bodies (PSBs) in the Irish Statistical System. The implementation of NDI+ will be expanded to other Departments, bodies and agencies over time.
There is a challenge in measuring items such as gender identity which does not have an internationally agreed classification. CSO have worked with stakeholders to develop questions and classification on gender identity and sexual orientation. These will be included in the Census pilot survey, which will help refine and agree on the classifications.

Organisational Structure:

The Board welcomed CSO’s new Organisational Structure and noted how the structures reflect the priority areas from a policy and societal perspective and have also been identified in both the CSO and NSB strategies.

Ongoing provision of EIRCODE API:

The Board were updated on the latest developments in the provision of an Eircode API. Tailte Éireann will end its provision of the Eircode API at the end July 2024. Public sector bodies are arranging alternative providers in advance of this date. The Board expressed their concern at the situation and asked that they be kept informed of developments as increased Eircode usage is a priority for the NSB. The Board agreed to write to the Chief Executive of Tailte Éireann to outline the Board’s concerns.

Young adults living with their parents:

The Board were made aware of the use of EU-SILC estimates relating to young adults living with their parents by RTE’s Prime Time programme. The Board were informed of CSO’s engagements with RTE and Eurostat to improve how these statistics could be better labelled and utilised.

Item 3: Discussion of Section 19 of the Stat (NSB 2024-2-4)

The Board discussed Section 19 of the Statistics Act, which sets out the role and functions of the NSB, to ensure that it is meeting its obligations under each part of this Section. The Board was satisfied that it is in compliance.

Item 4: Prioritisation of Pathfinder Projects

The Board were informed of the process by which Pathfinder Projects, between CSO and Public Sector Bodies (PSBs), are identifies and progressed. Pathfinder Projects have generally been collaborations with PSB who have: a statistical unit; good population databases; policy questions to answer; and engagement with the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). As the Irish Statistical System (ISS) and Irish Government Statistical Service (IGSS) has grown, and the value of Pathfinder Projects has been highlighted and there has been an increasing demand for this service from PSBs. As a result of this increased demand a more structured approach to the prioritisation of Pathfinders Projects is being developed by the CSO.
The Pathfinder Project service offered by CSO needs and how to apply for the service must be publicised more broadly across the public and civil service. As part of this publicity, clear criteria for a successful application must be communicated to ensure PSBs know what is required of them in advance of applying to collaborate with CSO on a Pathfinder Project. The NSB will be kept informed.

Item 5: Communications Challenges and Strategy Development

The Board received a presentation from John Byrne, Head of Communication in the CSO on the plans to review the CSO Communications Strategy. The Board were informed of the communications priorities emerging from stakeholder engagement and SWOT analyses undertaken. The NSB members agreed to participate in the next phase of the consultation process as part of the strategy review.
The Board noted that CSO communications has improved considerably in recent years, which engages a broader audience and leads the audience from high level information to greater depth. The Board agreed that there needs to be a balance struck between the ‘fun elements’ of communicating statistics and the more formal communication which emphasises the importance of the work that is being undertaken in producing official statistics. Official statistics should facilitate discussion in society and provide the context of how people feel in society, from which informed discussions can flow.

Item 6: AOB

The Board were reminded of NSB meeting dates in 2024.
NSB meeting dates in 2024:
       • 9th May 2024 (CSO, Cork?)
       • 12th September 2024
       • 5th December 2024