About Us

This Division's role is to assist in and to encourage the development of integrated systems of social statistics based on data available from a wide range of statistical and administrative sources.

Key objectives include the preparation of a range of social indicators and social reports and the full explotation of administrative data held by Government and other Public Agencies with whom it will actively collaborate.

During 2003, the Division had a key role in the publication of three reports: Developing Irish Social and Equality Statistics to meet Policy Needs (SGSES report); Statistical Potential of Administrative Records - An Examination of Data Holdings in Six Government Departments (SPAR report); and Measuring Ireland's Progress (Volume 1 and 2). In 2004, the Division focussed on meaures implementing the recommendations made in the SGSES report including the publication of guidelines to assist Departments to develop their data/statistics strategies. The Division is co-ordinating a new CSO/NSB study of business and environment data needs and data holdings in Government Departments and a report is due to be published in early 2005. A new gender indicators report, Women and Men in Ireland, was published in December 2004.

Further thematic indicators reports are due for publication during 2005 (e.g. Young and Old in Ireland) as well as updated versions of the previously published reports. In addition, the Division is beginning to become involved in projects linking related data holdings in different Departments. The Division will undertake a post-censal national disability study in 2006.