Vol. 465 No. 7
5 Mr. Killeen asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, that has been made towards the provision of regional statistics by the Central Statistics Office; when these statistics will be made available; and under what headings. [10399/96]
Information on most topics published by the Central Statistics Office is already available on a regional basis. The principal area in which it is now planned to develop regional statistics is in the compilation of overall economic accounts. The ESRI has carried out a study into the methodology and compilation of these accounts in respect of the year 1991 and this is at present being examined in the CSO. It is planned to publish the first set of regional accounts for 1991 later this year.
Having raised this matter in November last, the Minister will be aware that I am endeavouring to establish how soon figures will be available to submit a case for a European Union funding for particular regions. He indicated to me on that occasion that such work was in hand. Therefore, I am disappointed that the information relates to 1991 because I thought it would have been more up-to-date. Can the Minister of State fill me in on more recent figures?
I accept there has been a delay as the basic problem was to devise the correct methodology, which is now in place. We already have the 1991 figures, the 1992 figures are coming on stream and the 1993 figures are ready for publication. When the system has been honed, refined and its efficacy proven, the relevant information will be available much more speedily.
Regional accounts will never come on stream as quickly as national ones because in the case of the former one is working to a different set of criteria.
Is it too soon for the Minister of State to predict whether there is good news for particular regions in regard to eligibility for European funding?
Like the Deputy, for the sake of my constituents, I am very conscious that while we bask in our greatly improved economic growth, at 81 per cent, the fact that the 75 per cent threshold is in place is a cause for anxiety and very much exercising the minds of those at present involved in negotiations.
It has been raised at European Union level both in the Parliament and in discussions with the Commission. We hope it will be successfully resolved. I have no idea at this stage what the outcome will be.
The Minister of State lauded the merits of the CSO labour force survey and I should like to know if he has any plans for having the survey carried out more frequently.
Yes, as the Deputy is aware the labour force survey is compiled during the months of April and May and published annually. The Government is considering introducing quarterly labour force surveys, but no decision has been taken. As the rest of Europe has moved in that direction, obviously there is a considerable expectation that we likewise will do so. From the point of view of underlining accuracy and underpinning the distortions in the figures, it is desirable that we move in that direction.
