1. 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 September 2010

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.