1. Meeting of the Directors of Social Statistics
Introduction
Meeting of the Directors of Social Statistics
21 March 2011
Inna Šteinbuka
Director, Social and Information Society Statistics
Eurostat

2. Brief summary of past process
Starting point: ‘vision’ on the production method of EU statistics (Communication 404/ 2009)
From Vision to Strategy (ESS overall strategy)
Strategy for Social Statistics is part of overall ESS strategy
First discussion at the DSS in March DSS were positive and endorsed the creation of the strategic task force
Two meetings of the strategic task force (June 2010 & January 2011)
Recent TF meeting discussed: overall strategic approach, two pillar model, survey of Member States starting points, timeliness and the Spanish model
Director of Social Statistics, March 2011, Luxembourg

3. Progress in taking forward DSS conclusions (of March 2010)
Better understanding of countries specific situations following a survey of Member States
Refinements to a model for a new infrastructure that would modernise the system of micro-data collections in social statistics
Development of specific projects (data matching, use of internet traffic flows etc)
Further elaboration of the overall strategic approach
Director of Social Statistics, March 2011, Luxembourg

4. Main conclusions of Task Force Modernisation 2011
Proposal for a limited pillar model was supported even though precise model needs further analysis
On the pillar approach, the Task Force raised issues such as
What would be the efficiency gains & cost savings on data production under a rolling module approach?
What would be the impact (if any) on quality of the data?
What would be the impact (if any) on the users of the data?
A number of ideas for possible actions put forward, such as
Better exploitation of administrative data
Better use of the internet and multi mode approaches
Encourage statistical techniques such as data matching
Some support for an initiative on timeliness to follow the Spanish model but more volunteers needed
Director of Social Statistics, March 2011, Luxembourg

5. What do we need to do today?
Present our proposals and hear your reflections on:
The overall proposed strategic approach
Proposed target infrastructure for social statistics
Two pillar model, as a key element at the heart of the modernisation strategy
Consider what should be Eurostat actions either for financing, facilitation/co-ordination, development of the legal framework
for 2012
Director of Social Statistics, March 2011, Luxembourg

6. What will be the next steps?
Time for further written contributions until end April 2011
On the basis of this, Eurostat will refine its approach in the light of MS contributions
Input into the development of financing programmes
to the Annual Work Plan 2012
To the Multi-annual Programme
Adoption by the DSS in September 2011
DGINS in September/Opinion of the ESSC in November 2011
Start of implementation phase, 2012 actions planned on (inter alia)
the use of administrative data
further investigation of the pillar approach
Director of Social Statistics, March 2011, Luxembourg