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This release is categorised as a CSO Frontier Series Output. Particular care must be taken when interpreting the statistics in this release as it may use new methods which are under development and/or data sources which may be incomplete, for example new administrative data sources. For further information on the data sources, linking procedures and limitations of this report, see the Methodology and Background Notes sections.
This Frontiers in Statistics Release, A Review of Migration Indicators from Administrative Sources, Q3 2022 to Q2 2024, aims to estimate migration flows in Ireland for each quarter during the period Q3 2022 to Q2 2024, inclusive. It uses pseudonymised administrative data from public sector bodies to produce experimental estimates of the migration flows for Ireland and includes specific breakdowns by sex, age group and nationality group.
The quality of administrative migration flow estimates ultimately depends on the quality, relevance, timeliness, and availability of administrative data to the CSO. It is important to note that individual records on administrative datasets were not checked or corrected as all data are pseudonymised. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the potential for administrative data to be used to produce migration flow estimates.
Before using personal administrative data for statistical purposes, the CSO removes all identifying personal information. This includes the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), a unique number used by people in Ireland to access social welfare benefits, personal taxation, and other public services. A pseudonymised Protected Identifier Key (PIK) is created by the CSO when the PPSN is removed. This PIK is unique and non-identifiable and is only used by the CSO.
Using the PIK enables the CSO to link and analyse data for statistical purposes, while protecting the security and confidentiality of the individual data. All records in the matched datasets are pseudonymised and the results are in the form of statistical aggregates which cannot be used to identify any individuals.
The linkage and analysis were undertaken by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for statistical purposes in line with the Statistics Act, 1993 and the CSO Data Protocol. More information on transparency can be found on the CSO website.
The CSO is committed to broadening the range of high-quality information it provides on social and economic change. The growing volume and complexity of secondary data presents both challenges and opportunities for national statistical institutes. Integrating secondary data sources across public service bodies, while complying with statistical and data protection legislation, enables new analyses that support evidence-based decision-making and accountability. A coordinated approach to data integration improves efficiency, reduces duplication, and lowers costs.
The CSO has a formal role in coordinating the integration of statistical and administrative data across public service bodies that together make up the Irish Statistical System (ISS). This integration is supported by the National Data Infrastructure which links data across administrative systems using unique identifiers for individuals, businesses, and locations. The CSO links pseudonymised datasets using only variables that are relevant to the specific statistical purpose. Data integration, supported by the collection of identifiers such as PPSNs and Eircodes, is central to the ISS’s goal of strengthening analytical capacity.
Data protection is a core principle of the CSO and is central to the development of the NDI. As well as the strict legal protections set out in the Statistics Act, 1993, and other existing regulations, we are committed to ensuring compliance with all data protection requirements. These include the Data Sharing and Governance Act (2019) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU 2016/679).
Note that all datasets used in this analysis are in their pseudonymised form.
The Central Records System is a database within the Department of Social Protection (DSP) which holds data on its customers held on different systems within DSP. Data from the CRS used in this analysis includes information on age, sex, address, nationality, and relationships (for example dependent children and marital status). Data is supplied by the DSP on a quarterly basis.
The Revenue Commissioners’ PAYE Modernisation (PMOD) dataset contains information on payslip submissions of persons in employment and on occupational pensions from 2019 onwards. Data is supplied monthly.
Department of Social Protection’s database (real-time) from the Business Object Model implementation (BOMi) and Integrated Short-Term Payments System (ISTS) contains information on welfare payments, including state pension, unemployment benefit and child benefit (adults only). Data is supplied monthly.
The Child Benefit dataset contains information on eligible children’s benefit payments to parents/guardians. Data is supplied by the Department of Employment and Social Protection on an annual basis.
The Primary Online Database contains data on each student enrolled in each recognised primary school collected by the Department of Education. Data is supplied on an annual basis.
The Post-Primary Online Database is a central database for student and some school data which is collected by the Department of Education. Data is supplied on an annual basis.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland is an amalgamation of the previously operational Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC); the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC); the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). Data is supplied on an annual basis.
The Higher Education Authority data provides details on annual enrolments and graduations from the publicly funded universities and institutes of technology in Ireland. Data is supplied by the HEA on an annual basis.
The Programme Learner Support System is used to manage course information, learner records and reporting by SOLAS (an tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna). Solas is the Further Education and Training Authority. They provide a clear, integrated pathway for learners seeking to enrol in Further Education and Training. Data is supplied by SOLAS on a monthly basis.
Note: some individuals that may be administratively active may not live in the State, for example professionals commuting to work from Northern Ireland or individuals living abroad and receiving a state pension. Persons are excluded from the migration flows where where indicators from the administrative data sources listed above suggest the person is usually resident outside Ireland are available.
The data sources selected for this analysis were selected based on their capacity to meet the following criteria;
The administrative data sources contributing to this project vary in respect of the criteria listed here. The administrative data landscape is constantly developing. The CSO will continue to assess the quality and availability of existing and new data sources as they become available for inclusion and further development of this project.
The nationality data in this release has been grouped as follows:
| Name | Definition |
| Ireland | Ireland |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| India | India |
| Brazil | Brazil |
| Ukraine | Ukraine |
| EU14 excl Irl (countries in the EU pre 2004 excluding UK & Ireland) |
These countries were in the original EU15 but became EU14 post Brexit in Feb 2020. This group excludes Ireland.It is made up of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden |
| EU15 – 27 |
Group of 12 that joined in 2004 and 2010. This group of countries were known as the accession states at the time. It is made up of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia |
| Other Nationalities (3) | All other countries excluding the following list: EU272020, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Brazil, India and Ukraine |
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