Data is now recognised as a key element of national infrastructure, underpinning economic resilience, democratic accountability, and public sector innovation. Realising its full potential requires increased coordination, technical expertise, ethical oversight, and public trust.
This strategy responds to both external and internal drivers. Growing demand from users requires the CSO to provide timely, integrated, and multidimensional insights. The CSO increasingly draws on diverse data sources when developing Official Statistics, including administrative and privately-held data. By working to ensure coherence, quality, and consistency of all data sources, we can maximise the value of this richer data landscape.
The strategy sets out how the CSO will lead the development of a trusted, connected, and responsible national data system, while strengthening its own capacity and capabilities, and the range of statistical outputs and services we deliver. It focuses on improving accessibility, enhancing analytical skills, and supporting innovation through clear standards, methodological frameworks, and robust governance.
These opportunities can only be fully realised through our highly skilled and dedicated workforce, whose expertise enables the organisation to innovate and deliver insights of the highest quality. This strategy also paves the way for our National Statistical Service (NSS) to enhance its strategic importance in the Civil and Public Service (CPS), strengthening its influence and impacting the success of this strategy.
The National Data Infrastructure (NDI) provides a solid foundation for this work. Through the NDI, the CSO is embedding standards, skills, and services that enable secure and ethical data management. Initiatives and services such as the Quality Management Framework, the NSS, and Virtual Data Rooms (VDR) are reshaping how data is managed, integrated, and used to deliver public value.
The Data Strategy strengthens collaboration, while establishing clear roles and boundaries, thus positioning the CSO as a trusted data leader. The strategy sets out how CSO will work with partners to co-develop and deliver greater insight, while upholding statutory independence, protecting confidentiality, and preserving the integrity of Official Statistics. To address growing demand and the increasing complexity of user requests, the CSO is committed to modernising its internal systems, capabilities, and governance, ensuring it remains relevant, resilient, and prepared for emerging challenges. Therefore, this strategy is both inward- and outward-looking, strengthening organisational capacity while reinforcing CSO’s leadership within Ireland’s evolving national data ecosystem.