1. From EHS to EPSS (European Programme of Social Surveys)
Agenda point 2
Eurostat proposal sent in written consultation in November 2008
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

2. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
From EHS to EPSS
Feedback from DSS (and SPC)
The basis of the revised proposal issued by Eurostat in November 2008
Scope of this programme (list of surveys/modules included)
Constraints attached to the modules
Harmonisation of rules for EU funding
The procedure for deciding on the rolling programmes
The rolling programme
Benefits of EPSS
Conclusion
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

3. 1. Feedback from DSS (and SPC)
DSS meeting (22-23 September 2008):
Presentation of EHS
An integrated Framework and an adaptable tool to rationalise existing surveys and to be able to answer quickly to new or existing policy demands, including demands on specific populations, avoiding having to answer on a case-by-case basis (anticipation);
Scope of EHS restricted to modules on:
Core social variables;
Mini-module on health;
Existing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) survey,
5-year Adult Education Survey (AES), European Health Interview Survey (EHIS);
Other regular (5-year) foreseen surveys (e.g. the victimisation…);
Ad-hoc module NPN modules.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

4. 1. Feedback from DSS (and SPC)
Need for rationalisation in the field of social statistics was pointed out, project and its underlying ambitions (anticipation, responsiveness and integration) welcomed;
Concerns were expressed about the possible increase in burden, especially during the 2nd quarter of the year and particularly for small countries;
Relations between EHS and SILC/LFS modules to be clarified;
Need for the mini-module EHIS questioned: need for indicators on health on an annual or 2-year basis (+ quality issues)?
Legal issues: need for some countries that the project starts with a legal basis- at least for the modules fulfilling new policy needs.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

5. 1. Feedback from DSS (and SPC)
→ Production of a revised version and launching of a written consultation of the DSS before the decision of the SPC in February 2009 re-considering:
The need for the EHIS-mini-module to be included annually;
The planning of the 5-year modules;
The timetable for implementation;
Options with respect to the legal basis;
The fieldwork period for the ICT module;
And the financial aspects.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

6. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
2. The basis of the revised proposal issued by Eurostat in November 2008
A revised proposal keeping the initial objectives:
rationalising the existing data collection;
providing a transparent though flexible programming to NSIs;
Ensuring a timely and responsive answer to policy demands
A new concept: proposal for a rolling programme (EPSS) over a three-year period of all social surveys;
For a renamed project (EHS→ EPSS);
The rolling programme is not a definitively fixed programme (some flexibility);
The first exercise would cover the period.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

7. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
2. The basis of the revised proposal issued by Eurostat in November 2008
An extended scope including:
Regular annual (or even quarterly) social surveys based on EP and Council regulations
The EU-LFS (European Labour Force Survey);
The EU-SILC survey (Community Statistics on Income and Living Conditions);
The ICT survey (Information and Communication Technologies survey).
Following a written consultation launched in October 2008, the majority of DSS who answered (15/21) disagree with any possible change of the fieldwork period
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

8. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
2. The basis of the revised proposal issued by Eurostat in November 2008
Regular 5-yearly social surveys based on EP and Council regulations recently adopted (or in the final process of adoption).
AES (Adult Education Survey);
European Health Interview Survey (EHIS);
Other regular (mainly 5-year) surveys (e.g. on victimisation) are likely to emerge.
New requests to fulfil EU policy needs
Discrimination, migration, victimisation, consumer protection, early school leavers, culture, fertility.
Irregular social surveys (HBS and TUS), very different by nature, are not considered.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

9. 3. Scope of this programme (list of surveys/modules included)
EPSS would be composed of:
Modules including the core component of the annual/quarterly surveys:
The core module of the EU-LFS;
The core module of the EU-SILC survey;
The core module of the ICT survey.
Ad hoc modules:
LFS ad-hoc modules;
EU-SILC ad-hoc modules;
ICT ad-hoc modules;
Short (25') New Policy Needs (NPN) ad-hoc modules (consumer empowerment, culture, well-being);
Long (up to 45') NPN ad-hoc modules (victimisation) including some on special populations (e.g. elderly people or migrants).
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

10. 3. Scope of this programme (list of surveys/modules included)
Modules corresponding to five year or other regular surveys:
AES;
EHIS;
Other possible surveys (some long NPN modules being likely to become regular surveys, e.g. the module on victimisation).
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

11. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
Requirements
Link at micro level:
Between the core and ad-hoc modules for SILC, LFS and ICT;
Only with the core social variables for other modules.
Not possible to carry out the same year:
A long NPN module and a regular (mainly five-year) survey;
Two five-year surveys;
Same year of data collection for all countries for a given 5-year survey (AES and EHIS).
Not possible to carry out the same year:
A long NPN module and a regular (mainly five-year) survey;
Two five-year surveys;
enables an optimal control of burden
Same year of data collection for all countries for a given 5-year survey (AES and EHIS).
 Harmonisation, improvement of quality
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

12. 4. Constraints attached to the modules
For NPN modules:
Modules
Fieldwork period
Minimum effective sample size for the EU 27 as a whole
Maximum
Mean interview duration (incl. core variables)
Deadline for transmission of micro-data files of year N to Eurostat
Deadline for data issue by Eurostat
Short NPN ad-hoc modules
2nd quarter,
(1st semester)
individuals
25'
early October N
December N
Long NPN ad-hoc modules
Second semester (except if seasonal effects)
Depending on the topic
45'
June N+1
September N+1
Very quick delivery of results for NPN (especially for short NPN): one asset of the project (timeliness)
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

13. 5. Harmonisation of rules for EU funding
Current situation:
EU-SILC (core and ad-hoc modules) funded for a 4-year period only (maximum EU contribution: 2/3);
LFS ad-hoc modules are funded on a permanent basis (maximum EU contribution: 70%);
ICT is entirely (core and ad-hoc modules) funded (maximum EU contribution: 90%);
According to the capacity building strategy, 1st round of AES and EHIS are funded (maximum EU contribution: respectively 67% and 80%).
→ Inconsistencies between modules (and especially between ad-hoc modules SILC and LFS).
→ EPSS is a good opportunity to harmonise the EU funding practices.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

14. 5. Harmonisation of rules for EU funding
A proposal for EU funding:
Modules corresponding to annual core modules of LFS and EU-SILC: no funding;
Whole ICT survey: a maximum of 90%-EU funding (as foreseen in amended framework regulation) for the period ; to be re-discussed with member States after;
Modules corresponding to ad-hoc modules (LFS, EU-SILC, short and long NPN modules): a maximum of 90%-EU funding on a permanent basis;
Modules corresponding to 5-year or regular surveys: EU-funding only for the first year they are carried out under EPSS, according to the capacity building principle (% of EU funding to be provided later).
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

15. 6. The procedure for deciding on the rolling programme
Starting from the rolling programme, the procedure is as follows:
→ All the rolling programmes consist of two different elements:
Some legal basis;
Specific rolling programmes for years N to N+2 are adopted by the SPC in November (N-2) after adoption by the DSS during their September meeting of the same year.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

16. 6. The procedure for deciding on the rolling programme
The legal basis includes:
Existing legal basis (current LFS, SILC, ICT, AES, EHIS etc… framework regulations)
A new legal basis composed of a Framework regulation of the EP and of the Council and of specific Commission implementing regulations:
The Framework regulation:
Very general to avoid frequent adaptation as corresponding procedure is heavy;
Describes the basic elements of the rolling programmes;
The specific Commission regulations linked to this framework regulation:
are developed for those modules where no sectoral legal basis exists (NPN modules and in future some new regular surveys).
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

17. 6. The procedure for deciding on the rolling programme
Schema: legal basis for the EPSS
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

18. 6. The procedure for deciding on the rolling programme
The specific rolling programmes for years N to N+2 are:
Prepared by Eurostat;
Adopted by the SPC in November (N-2) after adoption by the DSS in September (N-2);
For all ad-hoc modules, a three-step procedure is used:
Step 1: Needs for topics of ad-hoc modules are expressed:
By the Indicator subgroup of the Social Protection Committee or of the Employment Committee
In the annual hearings between Eurostat and Commission DGs;
Step 2: Eurostat makes a proposal on a three-year list of ad-hoc modules and most appropriate vehicle, the list is submitted in a written consultation to the concerned Commission DGs;
Step 3: the Statistical Programme Committee (SPC) is asked to endorse the whole programme and to decide on the vehicle for each ad-hoc module.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

19. 6. Guiding principles for deciding on the vehicle for ad-hoc modules
Ad-hoc modules are added to EU-LFS only if a link at micro-level with detailed labour information or an important sample size is needed;
Ad-hoc modules are added to EU-SILC only if a link at micro-level with detailed income information is needed;
Ad-hoc modules are added to ICT only if a link at micro-level with detailed information on information and communication technologies is needed;
All other modules are good candidates for short or long NPN ad-hoc modules (modules on specific sub-populations, like migrants, being suitable only for long NPN modules).
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

20. 6. Ad-hoc modules: SPC would endorse in N-2:
LFS ad-hoc modules to be carried out in years…
N+1, N+2, N+3
SILC ad-hoc modules to be carried out in years…
ICT ad-hoc modules to be carried out in years…
N, N+1, N+2
NPNs ad-hoc modules to be carried out in years…
NPNL ad-hoc modules to be carried out in years…
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

21. 6. The procedure for deciding on the rolling programme
Transitional period: for and rolling programmes:
Adoption on the basis of a Gentlemen's Agreement;
The proposed rolling programme for is adopted by the SPC in February 2009;
The proposed rolling programme for is adopted by the SPC in September 2009;
For all the modules not currently covered by a sectoral legal basis, a specific (stand alone) Commission regulation based on Articles 3, 4 and 6 of Council regulation (EC) N° 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community Statistics is developed.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

22. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
7. The programme
2012
EU-SILC: core + AHM (social participation or housing) (adoption in SPC in November 09)
LFS: core + AHM on transition from work into retirement (adoption in SPC in November 09)
ICT: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2010)
Short NPN module (culture? theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2010)
EDSIM module (disabilities) [including the EHIS mini module]
2013
EU-SILC: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2010)
LFS: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2010)
ICT: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2011)
Short NPN module (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2011)
Long NPN module on victimisation
2014
EU-SILC: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2011)
LFS: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2011)
ICT: core + AHM (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2012)
Short NPN module (theme to be adopted in SPC in Nov 2012)
EHIS module
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

23. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
8. Benefits of EPSS
Comprehensive and consistent framework for mid-term planning, providing visibility to the ESS for the coming 3 years;
Avoids the emergence of ad-hoc, overlapping and uncoordinated requests;
Promotes convergence of timing of particular surveys among countries;
Predictability and harmonisation of the funding among surveys.
The rolling programme is not a definitively fixed-programme but can be changed in case of urgent policy requests some flexibility);
Enables at the same time to fulfil timely important new policy demands and to provide data of good quality, especially on specific subpopulations;
Enables a better control of burden (optimisation).
→ Main assets of a rolling programme is that it combines predictability with flexibility.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting

24. Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting
9. Conclusion
The DSS were invited:
to comment on any aspects of the revised project in the written consultation launched on 7 November 2008;
and to ask for any further clarifications.
13 January 2009
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS) meeting