Venue: Sycamore Room, Government Buildings, D02 R583
Date: Wednesday March 29, 2023
Time: 10.00am to 13.00pm
Item |
Description |
1 |
Statistics, data and information on disability and related areas Presentations from:
General Discussion and Q&A |
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
National Statistics Board
Minutes
The meeting took place in the Government Building and was a hybrid meeting.
Date: Wednesday March 29, 2023
Members present: Ms. Anne Vaughan (Chairperson), Ms. Eithne Fitzgerald, Dr. Eimear Cotter, Mr. John Martin, Mr. John Shaw, Mr. John McCarthy and Mr. Pádraig Dalton
Apologies: Mr. Gerard Brady
Non-members in attendance: Brian Cahill (attended as incoming Secretary).
In attendance for Agenda Item 1: Statistics, data and information on disability and related areas:
Central Statistics Office
Cormac Halpin, Fiona O’Riordan*, Kieran Culhane, Richard McMahon*
National Disability Authority
Dr Rosalyn Tamming, Dr Chloe Walsh*, Dr David Hallinan*
IDS-TILDA – Trinity College Dublin
Prof Mary Mc Carron, Dr Caitriona Ryan, Ms Margaret Haigh, Dr Eimear McGlinchey
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Nicola Tickner, Gráinne Collins
*attended virtually
Item 1: Statistics, data and information on disability and related areas
The Board received presentations from
In the discussion that followed the Board agreed that data and statistics produced should inform society and policy and should reflect the lived experience of people.
There are currently data gaps between what is collected and what is needed for policy purposes on the topic of disability. While the statistics currently produced on the topic provide great depth and insight there are coherence and comparability issues present over time and space.
There are multiple definitions of disability, the Board considered whether they are working for policy makers and in what forum are definitions and data related challenges being discussed, progressed, and prioritised.
The preparation for the new National Disability Strategy Plan, on advancing implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, may provide an appropriate forum in which to set priorities and make decisions in the area of statistics, data and information on persons with disability.
It was noted in the discussion that:
Conclusion
Aim to get ahead of the curve and measure what will be required in 5 or 10 years’ time to reflect the lived experience of person with disabilities. Key stakeholders should collaborate closely to help achieve this outcome.
Item 2: Minutes of NSB meeting January 26, 2023 (NSB 2023-2-2)
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
Item 3: CSO Director General’s Report to NSB (NSB 2023-2-3)
The Board welcomed the DG report and noted the volume and quality of work being undertaken by CSO.
The Board discussed some of the items contained in the DG’s Report:
Research community
The Board welcomed the CSO’s continued efforts to develop and build closer relationships and collaborations with the research community, IGESS and Government Department. The Board heard that the CSO considers data as a public good and aims to facilitate researchers accessing data in line with the Statistics Act, GDPR and the principle of data minimisation. As part of its Data Stewardship role the CSO are looking to provide data services to and collaborate more with the civil and public service bodies, who increasingly are establishing data and analytics department/units. The Board noted that there may be an opportunity for the CSO to provide guidance and support to departments in universities, who may benefit from guidance and expertise in accessing and using CSO data.
The Board suggested that the CSO engage with research funders to collaborate and promote a research agenda that is of interest to the CSO.
Flash Estimates
The Board welcomed the publication of Preliminary GDP Estimate Quarter 4 2022 which were the first time the CSO has published “Flash” GDP estimates. The Board noted that revisions between the preliminary estimate of Q4 2023 GDP and the estimate in the QNA and agreed that such revisions are inherent when producing macro estimates for the Irish economy. The publication of the Preliminary estimates is a very positive step forward for the CSO. The DG noted that the Preliminary GDP Estimate was a Frontier publication and the methodology for producing these estimates will continue to evolve and improve. The messaging surrounding the Frontier and preliminary nature of the publication needs to be further considered to ensure it is clear to all users.
The publication of Flash Estimate of Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was also welcomed by the Board along with the publication of additional detail on the Compensation of Employees. The Board heard that monthly employment statistics have been published using the Revenue’s PAYE Modernisation data. Plans are in place to publish monthly job churn statistics from this source followed by monthly payroll statistics.
Recruitment
The Board noted the number of Statisticians recruited and placed on secondment in the IGSS. They acknowledged the challenges being faced across the board in the recruitment in qualified staff, which is a characteristic of the current labour market environment.
Unique Business Identifier
The Board note the progress being made in the implementation and use of the UBI.
Cloud Strategy
The Board noted that the CSO has gone to tender for cloud services.
The next NSB will take place on May 11th at 10am until 3pm and will focus on