5.1 Intermediate Report of the DSS Strategic Task Force on the Modernisation of Social Statistics Inna Šteinbuka Director, Social and Information Society Statistics Eurostat DSS meeting 23-24 September 2010

Background Reflexion started in the directorate in the context of the 404 – vision communication First discussion at the DSS in March 2010. DSS were positive and endorsed the creation of the strategic task force First meeting of the strategic task force on 16/6/2010

Key Elements of Modernisation (1) Tapping new data sources without compromising on quality Improving the usability of administrative sources Exploring the possibility to make use of survey tools outside official statistics Exploring the potential of the internet as a data source for social statistics

Key Elements of Modernisation (2) An integrated approach for social surveys A continuous cross-sectional survey based on a substantial sample size, allowing for infra-annual and results for sub-populations to be produced A longitudinal, multi-purpose survey A fast-response survey including a fixed component and module(s) to provide timely answer to new policy demands Non-annual surveys Survey on persons in institutional households linked to the census

Key Elements of Modernisation (3) Increasing the potential of existing data Data linking in Member States Data matching in Eurostat Reengineering the production and the dissemination process Extended ESS cooperation

Main conclusions of the meeting Support for the large scope taken (not stove pipe) Support for the principle of a mid to long term target infrastructure Support to the main ideas (integration of administrative sources, surveys and other data sources; importance of registers; combined reflexion on statistical and IT aspects) For the survey component of the strategy, the five pillars are a good starting point but more integration is to be studied as well. Need for adaptation to countries specific situations Support for a funding programme. Importance of sharing experiences across countries

Next steps Main document to improve and make more explicit Two inventories of national situations are on-going Access to registers, administrative sources, new tools and techniques Situation of surveys on institutionalised population and fast-track surveys Results are expected in the coming weeks It will also show where experience sharing is needed and possible The Task Force should have its second meeting in November-December.