1. Short minutes and main conclusions Item 7.1 of the agenda
Giuliano Amerini ESTAT-F5
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

2. Item 1.1 – Welcome and introduction
Eurostat Head of Unit F5 welcomed participants: - Countries: BE, IE, FR, IT, UK, CH (DK, ES absent) - Users: EMPL, ISG, OECD, ILO (ECFIN absent) - Eurostat representatives from National Accounts, including the Head of Unit. - Alphametrics (Eurostat contractor) - Eurostat F5 members
The Head of Unit mentioned recent minutes of ECOFIN underlying the political importance of "timelier and better integrated social protection statistics", similar to ECOFIN conclusions mentioned in April 2017 WG (see conclusions 2017 WG, item 3(d), slide 10)
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ESSPROS Task Force

3. Item 1.1 – Welcome and introduction
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Origin of the Task Force (2014 ESSPROS Conference; 2015 cost benefit anaysis; definition of priority areas for ESSPROS developments) was briefly recalled as well as the progressive extension of its mandate.
 as a result TF agenda includes 4 main topics: 1. links ESSPROS – national accounts 2. improving timeliness 3. review of existing ESSSPROS 4. number of beneficiaries: extension.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

4. Item 1.2 – Adoption of agenda
Draft agenda distributed at the beginning of October.
Revised draft agenda (without any substantial change) distributed few days ago.
The revised draft agenda (doc. SP-TF rev) is adopted.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

5. Item 2.1 - Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting of the TF
Draft minutes distributed end of March 2017 for comments by end of May 2017.
No requests for changes received by written procedure.
No comments during this meeting.
Minutes of 2016 TF approved without modifications.
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ESSPROS Task Force

6. Item 2.2 - Follow up of decisions taken during the previous WGs
The TF took note of the follow up given to the main decisions taken by the WG (2016 and) 2017, more specifically: - ESSPROS manual and User guidelines published Dec ESSPROS methodological clarifications to be published Dec
The 2017 TF is giving a follow up of the majority of the other main decisions taken by the 2017 WG.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

7. Item 3.1 - Links between ESSPROS and N.A.: Expenditure
Methodological document (3.1-Annex): the TF supports the document.
Data comparison (doc Excel tables): the TF supports the document and tables.
On both methodological analysis and data comparison, TF is invited to send possible specific comments (including on the possibility to refine data comparison using data available at national level + on NPISH) by 11 December A final version of all documentation, including TF comments, will then be distributed to the WG for final approval.
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14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

8. Item 3.1 - Links between ESSPROS and N.A.: Expenditure
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The WG will be invited to use the 2 Excel files as reference to make the reconciliation exercise (ref also grants 2018).
Following suggestion from BE, Eurostat will investigate the possibility to produce a proxy of ESSPROS data for Government sector, classifying schemes using criterion "decision making". However this exercise is meant to have some limits due to the theoretical impossibility to classify schemes by sector (see conclusion of TF 2016 on "classification of schemes").
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

9. Item 3.2 - Links between ESSPROS and N.A.: Receipts
The TF approved the general structure and supported the 1st version of the methodological document.
A summary of comments by IT on D.614 (supplements) and D.61SC (service charges) to be distributed to the TF.
Further comments to be provided by TF by 11/12/2017.
Updated version (including TF inputs) to be presented in the next WG (2018) together with a first structure for data comparison.
The need for further conceptual discussion on "service charges" and "administration costs" (expenditure item) emerged. This may also lead to proposals for improving ESSPROS guidance on administration costs (see conclusions of TF 2016, item 4.3) for future WG.
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ESSPROS Task Force

10. Item 4.1 - Early estimates for ESSPROS main indicators
Eurostat presented document 4.1, including an update of the situation since WG.
Grants 2017: an overview of the situation was presented for information.
Countries in TF provided their plans for the pilots: - France: 1st estimates (ref year 2017) by 15/12/2018 then earlier the following years; - Italy: 1st estimates (ref year 2017) by 15/10/2018; - CH: first pilot probably in Other countries invited to send their plans for future pilots by 11/12/2017 by written procedure. Eurostat clarified that pilots results will not be used for dissemination.
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14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

11. Item 4.1 - Early estimates for ESSPROS main indicators
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Worshop joint with NA on early estimates in May 2018: - draft structure of workshop was discussed (inputs taken); - IT volunteered to prepare a presentation on their experience (with presentation by sector); - FR will confirm active participation in the Workshop as soon as possible and by end January 2018 at the latest (written procedure); - other comments by written procedure welcome by 11/12/2017.
To distinguish financial and non-financial corporations in the analysis (except in their role as employers).
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

12. Item 4.1 - Early estimates for ESSPROS main indicators
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The workshop will be organised with active support of Eurostat national accounts colleagues. Possible participation from Government Finance Statistics (COFOG) colleagues is being sought.
The political importance of the early estimates should be better highlighted. ISG mentioned the recent proclamation of the EU social pillar in the Gotheborg summit. ESSPROS may be included in the social scoreboard. Use of ESSPROS early estimates in the context of existing ESSPROS statistics and links with existing political processes and related data to be clarified (budgetary surveillance, long-term fiscal sustainability).
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ESSPROS Task Force

13. Item 5.1 - Treatment of multifunction benefits
TF supported on the revised analysis (using CH suggestions) and on the proposed changes to the Manual.
Draft document (adding some theoretical examples) to be presented at the 2018 WG for approval.
Once adopted by the WG the document to be transmitted to COFOG colleagues for possible harmonisation. Questionnaire on housing supplements to be distributed to the TF for comments and then to the WG for filling it in. Following suggestion by ISG and CH, it will include question on coverage of housing benefits by local authorities and possible estimation methods used in ESSPROS.
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ESSPROS Task Force

14. Item 5.2 - Disability benefits and recipients above/below the standard retirement age
Split of non-pension disability benefits paid to persons over the retirement age: TF supported the revised questionnaire (including quantitative evaluation) for all countries to evaluate general feasibility and impact.
Distinction between disability pension and early retirement due to labour market reasons: Eurostat will analyse comments by Belgium (participation in labour market to be defined "de jure", not "de facto") and comments in writing by Italy (possibly to be sent to Eurostat by end of November) to try to elaborate a revised proposal.
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ESSPROS Task Force

15. Item 5.3 - Links ESSPROS-MISSOC
TF strongly supports the strategy adopted by the 2017 WG towards better coordination with MISSOC and welcomes the recent decision of MISSOC expert group towards the same objective (oral report by EMPL of MISSOC meeting on 9 November 2017), also including the first step: improving the completion and consistency in the reporting of benefit names in English and national language in both systems. TF took note of progress already made recently in this specific area (benefit names) in both systems.
TF acknowledged that the two systems are and will remain different and complementary: QUALI is data related, MISSOC is more for policy analysis. ESSPROS is compiled by statisticians, MISSOC by policy/legal experts. However there is big room for better coordination.
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ESSPROS Task Force

16. Item 5.3 - Links ESSPROS-MISSOC
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Next step "inventory of benefits": to start from family/children function (as a pilot, also to learn). First draft to be produced by Eurostat and sent for joint analysis to ESSPROS and MISSOC delegates. For this, co-ordination Eurostat-EMPL is needed.
TF took note that EMPL may provide financial support for this work in the longer term (such as grants for countries).
From the debate a new strategic dimension emerged (to be submitted to the WG): communication to users about the availability of the two sources of info, their different role and the current efforts to better coordinate. This could also lead to a reduction of specific demands from different users (for example DGs of the Commission).
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ESSPROS Task Force

17. Item 5.4 - Review of ESSPROS metadata
Brainstorming session: lots of suggestions/ideas from the TF on how to improve the reporting, validation and dissemination of metadata (currently in QUALI, QR, footnotes, supplementary information in BENEF).
This exercise will have to be coordinated with the SDMX strategy (for data) and the MISSOC-QUALI coordination strategy (see item 5.3).
Standardisation and automation are useful: it is clear that efficiency gains will have to be evaluated taking into account the whole production chain (countries + Eurostat).
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14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

18. Item 5.4 - Review of ESSPROS metadata
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An overall strategy needs to be designed for metadata, including long-term objectives and intermediate steps (like SDMX strategy for data). The future strategy should cover transmission, validation and dissemination in an (as far as possible) integrated way.
The strategy and its implementation will require strong coordination with Eurostat IT and dissemination units and directorate. Concrete solutions will have to be consistent with Eurostat (and ESS) overall IT and dissemination strategies.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

19. Item 5.4 - Review of ESSPROS metadata
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Next step: to report to 2018 WG on TF results and ask for further guidance for a full strategy design. If possible, first concrete steps on simplification of reporting mechanism and dissemination tools could be already explored by Eurostat and presented to the 2018 WG.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

20. Item 5.5 - links ESSPROS and LMP
The TF welcomes the analysis and provide initial comments. More comments are welcome by written procedure by 15 January 2018.
Some quality improvements of ESSPROS data (as well as some methodological clarifications) may emerge from a more systematic comparison with LMP, such as: 1. possible methodological improvements Eurostat will develop possible cases for further analysis 2. data improvements from further investigation of possible inconsistencies 3. systematic data comparison: validation rules.
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14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

21. Item 5.5 - links ESSPROS and LMP
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The comparison exercise requires cooperation between national delegates of LMP (mainly from Ministries) and ESSPROS (mainly from NSIs). This may lead to clarifications of differences, exchange of data sources and methods of estimation (example BE split UB vs ER) The cooperation of ESSPROS-LMP delegates to be organised by Eurostat and EMPL (after MISSOC coordination). Comments in writing on the Annex on participants are also welcome by 15 January 2018 (instead of by 5 December 2017 as indicated in the document)
Results of the comparison to be presented to the WG.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

22. Item 6. 1 - OECD experience on SOCR Item - 6
Item OECD experience on SOCR Item Extension data collection on number of beneficiaries
OECD presented the results of the work on SOCR, supported by DG EMPL and including an analysis of links with ESSPROS.
The TF took note of the progress made.
The Task Force took note of the main conclusions of the OECD-EMPL Seminar on beneficiaries held in April (…)
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

23. Item 6. 1 - OECD experience on SOCR Item - 6
Item OECD experience on SOCR Item Extension data collection on number of beneficiaries
(…) The TF supported the following: - users to describe their needs (based also on existing experience) with focus on unemployment function; - Eurostat to start developing a specific methodology for the unemployement function, taking into account developments already achieved in other relevant projects (such as SOCR, LMP); - methodology to be consistent with expenditure framework. However, it does not need to be exhaustive (not all functions: ex. health; not all types of benefits: ex. in kind); - timeliness is important for unemployment: t+1
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ESSPROS Task Force

24. Item 6. 1 - OECD experience on SOCR Item - 6
Item OECD experience on SOCR Item Extension data collection on number of beneficiaries
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The TF will assist Eurostat in these activities.
The above conclusions to be submitted to WG 2018 for further guidance.
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ESSPROS Task Force

25. Item ILO: user needs
ILO presented the project needing internationally harmonised data on employment injury benefits (occupational accidents and diseases benefits) and beneficiaries.
The Task Force took note of the ILO project. A ILO concept note will be distributed to the TF for comments by written procedure.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

26. Item 7.1 – Short minutes and main conclusions of the meeting
Draft "short minutes and main conclusions" were presented item by item to TF participants and approved with some final amendments.
The final version including the requested amendments will be distributed to participants and uploaded in CIRCA just after the meeting.
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force

27. Item Next meetings
Mid-May : - Working Group on Social protection Statistics in parallel with National Accounts Working Group (probably May) followed by - Joint Workshop on ESSPROS early estimates (probably 17 May)
Mid-November 2018 : - ESSPROS Task Force on mehodology (4th meeting)
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ESSPROS Task Force

28. Item 7.3 - Evaluation of the meeting
Participants filled in the questionnaire "evaluation of the meeting"
Grazie "social pillar": 
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ESSPROS Task Force

29. Thank you for your co-operation
14-15 November 2017
ESSPROS Task Force