As the Central Statistics Office moves forward to undertake Supported Quality Appraisals, it should ensure that such appraisals will cover the entire Statistical Work Programme within a reasonable timeframe while also establishing criteria for the prioritisation of appraisals across statistics. (Improvement-related: ES CoP, Indicator 4.3).
The Supported Quality Appraisal (SQA) model provides for an in-depth review of statistical production, considering national and European quality standards and provides direct support from relevant corporate areas in the implementation of any recommendations for quality improvement arising out of the appraisal. The model incorporates elements of statistical auditing and quality assessment, using independent internal expertise, to conduct an evaluation of existing practices against best practice standards and the implementation of the ES CoP principles. The model also includes a commitment to the delivery of ongoing support for the implementation of recommendations arising from the evaluation from the Methodology, Quality Unit and Technology divisions of CSO. At present the number of reviews carried out each year is limited to three due to the availability of supporting resources.
CSO intends to review the current operating process of the Supported Quality Appraisal scheme.
Review of Supported Quality Appraisal Methodology. A review of the current SQA methodology and a redesign of the SQA process to allow for increased coverage and frequency of SQA’s to occur.
Q4 2025.
Central Statistics Office.
Examination of Scope. The examination of the possibility of extending the scope of the appraisals to include statistical outputs produced across the Irish Statistical System.
Q4 2025.
Central Statistics Office.
Strategic selection process for appraisal scheme. Developing a more strategic selection process for inclusion in the appraisal scheme so that there are clear criteria for identifying and developing a SQA work programme so that reviews of strategic outputs can be better prioritised and planned.
Q4 2025.
Central Statistics Office.
The Central Statistics Office should push forward with reform efforts in business sector data collection and processing, in order to reduce response burdens, raise the efficiency of data collection and enhance data quality. (Improvement-related: ES CoP, Indicators 8.2, 9.3 and 10.4).
The majority of the CSO’s more than 16 enterprise surveys have moved to eQ (electronic questionnaires) and a further project to move all elements of the collection process to electronic format is underway.
In parallel with the electronic collection process, the CSO is implementing a Response and Compliance programme to improve survey campaign management with a particular focus on response rates to business surveys.
Increasingly, statistical products combine data from multiple sources to produce new analysis. For example, the annual SBS datasets already use administrative data on business taxation combined with survey returns. Similarly, new statistical products such as Business Signs of Life combine multiple administrative data sources. To sustain the production of blended outputs, to manage the impact of falling response rates, and to assure quality, this work needs to be based on a repeatable data warehouse approach. As such, the CSO is investing in a cross-enterprise statistics research project which seeks to assess the utility and quality of each variable, identifying alternative administrative sources where possible, eliminating un-used or under-used collection and enhancing coherence across data collection.
All of this sits within a wider technology project which, taking a meta-data led approach, will create an integrated system for digital data capture for enterprises from the central business register to the respondent portal which will seamlessly incorporate both survey and administrative data sources.
Full electronic engagement and implementation of response and compliance programme. Build internal application for the management of email addresses, with stakeholders and in line with GDPR and other legal requirements. Move all survey reminders to e-mail and commence legal action against selected non-respondents.
Q4 2025.
Central Statistics Office.
Utility of data project. Complete project to review the utility and quality of all variables across all enterprise surveys and transmissions and implement recommendations. Interim recommendations will be implemented during the delivery period of the project, through several milestone reports.
Q2 2026.
Central Statistics Office.
Digital Data Capture for Enterprises. CSO will assess and address the challenge of developing a system of digital data capture encompassing both administrative and survey data, enhancing respondent engagement and taking a meta-data first approach to the development of an integrated data flow through existing and new systems. This will involve several discrete elements, with the first interim milestones.
Develop project scope and high-level programme of deliverables (external business analyst).
Q3 2024.
Central Statistics Office.
High-level design for integrated system (external solutions architect).
Q1 2025.
Central Statistics Office.
Implement the project for digital data capture for enterprises.
Q4 2027.
Central Statistics Office.
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