1. LAMAS Working Group 17-19 June 2015
Agenda Item 2.1 IESS (Integrated European Social Statistics) Framework regulation / Feedback from the DSS

2. Fourth round of discussion
Several changes:
Addition of recitals and definitions
Rewording of Articles 2-5
Changes to the use of delegated powers
Draft regulation now accompanied by multiannual rolling programme

3. Fourth round of discussion
Majority of DSS members largely supported Articles 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13
Discussion focused mainly on Articles 2, 3, 5, 9 and 12 (data collections including technical specifications, periodicity and transmission deadlines; planning; feasibility studies) and annexes

4. Article 2 "Data collections" and annexes 1-3
Article now includes lists of domains and topics, detailed topics are listed in Annex I. Only detailed topics could be changed by delegated acts
Need for both detailed topics and modules? -> new draft!
Too survey-oriented? -> Use of admin. data encouraged

5. Article 3 "Multiannual rolling planning"
Period extended to 8 years
Example provided
No annual update – three years notice in effect
Request for some information on no. of variables

6. Article 5 "Technical specifications of data collections"
Merge with article 4 (elements common to several data collections)?
Input harmonisation provisions in paragraph 1(f)
-> new proposal for next DSS

7. Article 9 "Periodicity…" and annexes 4-6
Tighter deadlines for LFS
Flexible deadlines for income variable to be explored
Reservations on delegated acts noted

8. Article 12 "Feasibility studies"
Compulsory or not?
Special regime for coordinating?
(Views from LFS workshop in Prague)

9. DSS Opinion - 1
Generally support for IESS, incl. multi-layered approach separating the policy and technical decision making, adaptability to evolution, integrated planning, harmonisation across surveys, quality requirements
Many changes welcomed
Concerns about use of delegated acts for multiannual rolling programme (Article 3) and for the adaptation of Annexes IV (periodicity) and V (transmission deadlines).

10. DSS Opinion - 2
Impact assessment important for Member States
Consider merging the levels “detailed topics” and “modules" and examine how to operationalise the 20% limits for changes to the list of detailed topics (Article 2)
Input harmonisation provision in Article 5.1(f) will be redrafted to be more specific. In addition, the text should not include "formulation of questions"

11. DSS Opinion - 3
Provision on feasibility studies in Article 12 will be redrafted to respond to the concerns of Member States about obligatory participation in feasibility studies
The DSS recalled that the Wiesbaden Memorandum states that “to meet users’ needs, the development of a modern architecture for social statistics needs substantial investments and appropriate funding for European and national levels”