Eoin Ryan
Ceist:103 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he intends to improve the deficiencies in the timeliness of published economic data, economic growth, industrial output, unemployment figures, exports and imports. [284/94]
Written Answers. - Timely Publication of Data.
The timeliness of official economic statistics is a matter of the highest priority for the Central Statistics Office whose objective is to ensure that key economic data are available with the minimum possible delay. The speed with which statistics can be produced is however dependent on the response to surveys by businesses and individuals; the resources which can be deployed on statistical work; and the necessity to ensure that the published results are of an acceptable quality. A reasonable balance must be struck in taking all these factors into account.
Some particular difficulties have recently arisen due to the introduction of a new survey system for foreign trade statistics, following the completion of the EU Single Market. This has led to delays in the production of trade statistics in all member states. The CSO and the Revenue Commissioners are examining how the current situation here can be improved. Some less serious delays have occurred in the production of certain other economic statistics due to the decentralisation of the bulk of the CSO to Cork earlier this year. It is expected that these temporary difficulties will be rectified in the near future.