Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
660. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the level of data collected on the issues that come under her Department's remit; the steps she will take to work with the Administration in Northern Ireland to collect data under her aegis on a North-South basis; and the budgets she will put in place to undertake this work (details supplied). [14444/16]
View answerMy department collects a wide range of data across areas of business that come within its remit, including for example data on the issuing of employment permits, the registration of companies, public expenditure on research and innovation, export licensing statistics, the granting of patents and registration of trademarks, and on employment, sales, exports and expenditure by companies which are clients of the enterprise agencies. In addition to data collected in the Offices and Agencies of my Department, key elements of data collection take place through a Surveys Unit in the Department and collaboratively with the Central Statistics Office under a Memorandum of Understanding.
I am satisfied that my Department follows best practice when collecting data and that it has robust procedures in place to ensure that all data that it collects, whether as a statutory requirement or otherwise, is accurate and complete.
The National Competitiveness Council, in their 2015 report, noted that the availability of accurate, timely and relevant data is essential to develop an evidence base, conduct analysis, and formulate policy recommendations. My Department considers the development of data and other statistical and measurement issues on an ongoing basis and my officials are currently engaged in work with the CSO and other Departments and Agencies on the development of improved data across a range of issues including productivity and housing affordability. Officials from my Department attend the Enterprise Statistics Liaison Group convened by the Central Statistics Office. The Enterprise Statistics Group assesses the needs and priorities of key national users of business and enterprise statistics.
Two other recent reports have highlighted areas where better data should be available. A report by the University of Limerick (UL) into the prevalence of zero hour contracts and low hour contracts identified limitations in existing data in these areas. UL made a recommendation as to how this might be addressed in the future, which is being considered in the context of the broader policy response to the UL study.
The Low Pay Commission in its report last July made reference to 'significant gaps in the data which would ideally be available to assist in coming to a recommendation on the level of the minimum wage'. In this context, the cessation by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) of the National Employment Survey a number of years ago has particularly constrained the data available and its timeliness with regard to earnings. The reintroduction of this survey by the CSO as soon as finances permit would be welcomed.
Comprehensive data on Northern Ireland business and economic issues is compiled by bodies such as the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and their Department for the Economy, and such information is made openly available. In addition, Intertrade Ireland, the cross border body which is co-funded by my Department, had published a wide range of data from various sources, which is of direct relevance to cross border business and economic issues. I do not consider it appropriate that my Department would get involved in collecting data relating specifically to Northern Ireland matters.
My Department, and the agencies under its aegis, share data with their Northern Ireland counterparts in instances where this can bring about mutual benefits. For example the Health and Safety Authority shares information and research on farm safety trends with the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland in order to help address major workplace health and safety risks in the agriculture sector.
