Statistical Capacity Master Planfor

The Slovak Republic

Draft by World Bank consultant,Jan Byfuglien per 21.8.2006

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Preface.................................................................................................................................................4Acronyms............................................................................................................................................5

1.Background and Process..........................................................................................................71.1. The Master Plan was prepared in consultations with stakeholders..............................................71.2. The development strategy of the SO SR is good..........................................................................71.3. Generally positive Report on Standards and Codes (ROSC) identified some areas for

improvement................................................................................................................................91.4. Lot of progress was achieved thanks to assistance from Eurostat..............................................101.5. EU the main driving force; domestic strategies often fail to include statistical requirements...10

2. Description of current status of national statistical system...................................................112.1. The main agencies......................................................................................................................11

2.1.1. The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR)...................................................112.1.2. Ministry of Finance..........................................................................................................222.1.3. Other sector ministries (e.g., Health, Education, Agriculture)........................................242.1.4. Other agencies.................................................................................................................29

2.2. Mechanisms for planning and coordinating statistical activities are in place, but communication remains a major issue.................................................................................................................33

3. Assessment of strengths and weaknesses of current system.................................................353.1. Strengths and weaknesses of the system as a whole..................................................................35

3.1.1. Adequacy of legislation: coordination and confidentiality are main issues....................383.1.2. Independence from political interference........................................................................393.1.3. Quality awareness............................................................................................................393.1.4. Adherence to professional ethics and international standards.........................................403.1.5. Adequacy of data dissemination strategy and procedures: room for improvements.......403.1.6. Too little resources to meet new challenges....................................................................413.1.7. Human resource management: little incentives...............................................................41

3.2. Main statistical areas and operations..........................................................................................423.2.1. Type and purpose.............................................................................................................423.2.2. Methodological soundness (HBS infrastructure and implementation procedures).........48

3.3. Main statistical products.............................................................................................................503.3.1. Dissemination and release policy....................................................................................513.3.2. Assessment of practical utility, accuracy and reliability.................................................523.3.3. Evaluation by international institutions is positive..........................................................53

4. Outline of strategic development plan..................................................................................544.1. Long-term vision: respected coordinator of national statistical system.....................................544.2. Strategic goal: good data for clients...........................................................................................544.3. Proposed sequencing..................................................................................................................544.4. Risks and assumptions................................................................................................................55

5. Time-bound implementation program..................................................................................555.1. Improving management and human resources...........................................................................56

5.1.1. Actions and timeframe.....................................................................................................565.1.2. Proposed outputs with targets..........................................................................................565.1.3. Benefits and outcomes.....................................................................................................57

5.2. Investing in statistical infrastructure..........................................................................................575.2.1. Actions and timeframe.....................................................................................................575.2.2. Proposed outputs with targets..........................................................................................585.2.3. Benefits and outcomes.....................................................................................................59

5.3. Statistical operations...................................................................................................................60

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5.3.1. Actions and timeframe.....................................................................................................605.3.2. Proposed outputs with targets..........................................................................................615.3.3. Benefits and outcomes.....................................................................................................61

5.4. Investment in equipment or physical infrastructure...................................................................625.4.1.Actions and timeframe......................................................................................................625.4.2. Proposed outputs with targets..........................................................................................625.4.3. Benefits and outcomes.....................................................................................................63

6. Investment and Financing Plan.............................................................................................636.1. Input requirements......................................................................................................................636.1.1. Capital expenditures, including works and equipment............................................................63

6.1.2. Recurrent expenditures....................................................................................................646.1.3. Technical assistance needs..............................................................................................64

6.2. Financing plan............................................................................................................................646.2.1. Government budget.........................................................................................................646.2.2. Donors..............................................................................................................................65

6.3. Detailed budget...........................................................................................................................66

7. Implementation Plan.............................................................................................................727.1. Implementation mechanisms and sustainability.........................................................................727.2. Monitoring and evaluation.........................................................................................................72

7.2.1. Summary of targets and indicators..................................................................................727.2.2. Logical framework...........................................................................................................73

Annex 1.....................................................................................................................................74

Annex 2.....................................................................................................................................82

Annex 3.....................................................................................................................................83

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PrefaceThe aim of the project financed by the World Bank’s Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (TFSCB) was to develop a Statistical Master Plan (SMP) for the Slovak Republic, in order to address some structural and quality issues within the statistical system. Some of the main issues, based on the background documentation and the observations when preparing the master plan, are:

1. Lack of consistent data. A major problem is lack of time series in social statistics, which is making it difficult to assess the real level of poverty and social exclusion, and monitor effects of social policy.

2. A somewhat fragmented national statistical system (NSS), as well as a fragmented dissemination system, leading to overlap and inconsistency in the output.

3. Little focus on customers and products, with dissemination of useful information targeting both general and specific issues.

4. Lack of robustness and flexibility of the system both due the present division of tasks between the SO SR and different ministries/institutes and due to the organisational set up of the SO SR with several geographical locations and not enough experienced experts in some areas.

5. Some inefficiencies in data collection, control and editing due to the fragmentation of the NSS, and lack of consistent knowledge and solutions.

6. Insufficient human and financial resources needed to meet permanently coming new European requirements.

The main objective of the Master plan is thus address these structural problems in order to improve the overall quality and coverage of the Slovak statistical system, addressing different quality aspects such as user orientation and accessibility, timeliness, accuracy and efficiency. The main objective will be to ensure a better basis for evidence-based decision-making within the Slovak Republic on different political levels. The Master plan will not cover in detail all thematic areas as in general the statistical system already has a relatively broad coverage, and in most areas comply with European requirements.

The main actions proposed include:a) Developing a program for the supply and analysis of statistical information in the social area, in

close cooperation with the main partners.b) Initiating a project for joint data collection from local authorities, involving several partners for

developing a technical solution. This project will serve multiple purposes, not least to provide improved information on social and economic conditions within different parts of Slovakia.

c) Improving dissemination and services to users, by improved training and solutions for dissemination, including a joint portal for statistical information.

d) Improving the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR by improved human resource management and wage motivation as well as organisational development

e) Clarifying the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys and improve the more efficient use of administrative surveys.

f) Reviewing the division of labour within the whole statistical system both in the data collection and in dissemination.

g) Developing satellite accounts on tourism, health, education and labour market.h) Initiating a project for developing an integrated population/address register solution.

A successful plan will depend on good cooperation from different partners and stakeholders and strong commitment for funding and follow up of actions.

Bratislava, xx xxx xx

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AcronymsBIS Bank for International Settlements

CAF Common Assessment FrameworkCOICOP Classification of Individual Consumption by ProductCPI Consumer Price Index

ECB European Central BankECE United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeEDP Excessive Deficit ProcedureESA European System of National AccountsESS European Statistical SystemEurostat Statistical Office of the European CommunitiesEU European UnionEU-SILC European Survey on Statistics on Income and Living Conditions

FADN Farm Accountancy Data NetworkFAO Food and Agriculture OrganisationFDI Foreign direct investmentFPI Financial Policy Institute

GDDS IMF’s General Data Dissemination SystemGDP Gross Domestic ProductGNI Gross National IncomeGTAF II General Technical Assistance Facilities (EU program)

HBS Household Budget Survey

ICT Information and Communication TechnologiesILO International Labour OrganisationIMF International Monetary FoundINTRASTAT System for production of statistics on import and export between EU Member StatesISO 9000 A set of quality management standardsIT Informational technologies

LAN Local area networkLEG Leadership Group (expert group within the European Statistical System)LFS Labour Force Survey

MDG Millennium Development GoalsMLSAF Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SRMoF Ministry of Finance

NA National AccountsNBS National Bank of SlovakiaNPF National Property FundNSS National Statistical System

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

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PHARE Poland and Hungary: Assistance for Restructuring their Economies: EU programme for support to Central and Eastern Europe

QMS Quality Management System

R&D Research and developmentROSC Report on Standards and Codes

SDDS IMF’ Special Data Dissemination Standard SMP Statistical Master PlanSNA System of National AccountsSO SR The Statistical Office of the Slovak RepublicSSP State Statistical ProgrammeSR Slovak Republic

UIPS Institute of Information and Prognosis of EducationUN United Nations

WAN Wide area networkWB World Bank

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1.Background and Process

1.1. The Master Plan was prepared in consultations with stakeholdersThe work on the Master Plan started with a fact-finding mission involving meetings with different parts of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) as well as most of the other partners of the statistical systems. Institutions visited included the Ministry of Education/UIPS, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, Social Insurance, National Bank of Slovakia, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Health. Some further institutions were followed up during the second mission; The Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Authority of the Slovak Republic, The National Labour Office, The Customs Directorate and the Tax Directorate.

A meeting was held in SO SR with representatives from 13 involved ministries/institutions on 16 March 2006 followed by the circulation of the draft, including the action plan and chapter 5 in Slovak language for comments. Comments were received from 8 partners, mainly minor points.

In parallel the Word Bank circulated the draft some contacts on its side. Some general and specific comments were received and transmitted.

Based on the comments received a second draft was elaborated as a basis for a seminar to be held in Bratislava 12 - 13 September 2006.

After the seminar a final version will be developed taking account of the discussions and comments received.

1.2. The development strategy of the SO SR is good

The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic has prepared its development strategy in summer 2004. The underlying concepts and principles were based on the use of Balanced scorecard. The implementation of this strategy started from January 2005.

The vision formulated was the following: The SO SR is an independent, customer-oriented, information and knowledge institution. The SO SR is a co-ordinator of the NSS, an important creator of the official statistics and co-

creator of ESS acknowledged at national and international level. The SO SR achieves this position by developing and using knowledge of our staff and co-

operating organizations, as well as by intense use of the latest scientific achievements and modern ICT.

Furthermore the mission was expressed clearly:

Our mission is to provide high quality and objective statistical products and services with the aim to support the improvement of information and intellectual capital of our customers.

In this way we want to contribute to reduce risks in their decision-making processes and so to support the sustainable development of the society.

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And the Common shared values were formulated: Customer orientation – satisfaction of int. and ext. customers Excellence – high statistical professionalism and integrity Innovativeness, openness to new ideas, knowledge sharing Trust, loyalty to institution, mutual respect, ethics, moral, partnership

The strategic main objective formulated in the plan is:

To increase systematically the value of the institution – credibility (officiality, independence, integrity, transparency), effectiveness and acknowledgement at national and international level.

To support this objective the core activity was specified as:

Active co-ordination and creation of the NSS in EU context; Active participation in the development of ESS and in the statistical activities of important

international institutions.

The functional areas considered crucial were: Marketing development Knowledge management development Human potential development ICT use and safety Financial management development

The strategies formulated to meet the strategic objective for the core activity were:

To reassess and implement the Statistical activity programme – in such a way that it officially incorporates the EU Statistical Programme 2003-07. In this way – create a solid basis for further harmonisation with the EU Statistical Programme that will be created for the period after 2007.

To improve quality of the statistical products (implement the QMS according to ISO 9001, incorporate LEG recommendations and elements of CAF – Common Assessment framework required in the SR public administration).

To optimise the statistical products portfolio, shift towards more value-added products. To co-ordinate and optimise the creation of the National statistical Surveys programme (stress on

the effectiveness). To develop an active partnership with respondents (and other suppliers) and customers (and other

important stakeholders).

The initiative had a top-down approach, and much effort had been put into communicating this new strategy to the organization. During its implementation, which now is under way, the SO SR units are gradually working out the strategic action programmes into their concrete action plans. In this way the bottom up approach is ensured. The implementation progress concerning fulfilment of the action programmes and plans and meeting their targets is monitored in regular top management meetings and semi annually in SO SR management meetings. During implementation also the strategic control and information system is used to ensure the relevance of strategy during the whole implementation.

A lot of work had been performed to identify and document processes incl. the interactions and interfaces between processes. The work was also considered important as a tool to change the corporate culture in the direction of customer orientation and developing an attitude of common responsibility for the end results of the statistical production process.

The processes are described by regulations and process identification sheets. They include basic information (input, output, activities, relevant regulations, etc.) as well as performance indicators, process

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parameters, targets, their monitoring, measuring and analysis to follow the performance of the processes and possible process improvements.

A major effort is to implement the QMS according to ISO norm in the whole SO SR. To ensure as successful outcome as possible, the division of responsibilities between HQ and regional offices might also be studied further.

The development of planning is guided by the target to complete the implementation of the QMS according to ISO norms with included CAF elements within one year time; here the MBO (management by objectives) is used as the useful managerial methods.

1.3. Generally positive Report on Standards and Codes (ROSC) identified some areas for improvement

The latest Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) - Data Module, is from April 29. 2005. The report (IMF Country report No 05/161) summarises the following conclusions:

SDDS observance/subscription: The Slovak Republic has subscribed to the SDDS since 1996 and observes or exceeds all of the prescriptions of these standards. The National Summary Data Page is hyperlinked to the Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board.

Prerequisites of quality: Statistical agencies generally have a legal and institutional framework that supports statistical quality, although the formal legal mandate to disseminate statistics should be made explicit. Resources are generally adequate for existing statistical programs; however, low wages at the SO SR (relative to other public sector agencies) mitigate against staff retention. Additional resources for the SO SR and MOF would be required to pursue needed statistical improvements and strengthen related transparency. All agencies demonstrate quality management as a cornerstone of their statistical work.

Assurances of integrity: All agencies demonstrate a high level of professionalism, and provide guidelines on ethical conduct for staff. In general, compilers are transparent in their policies and practices, although advance notification of methodological and other changes is not given.

Methodological soundness: Methodological practices generally follow internationally recognized standards. Minor areas for improvement were observed in the national accounts and balance of payments statistics. Migration to the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001 is in progress. There are two sets of monetary statistics. The national monetary statistics are not fully in line with international standards; the other set, harmonized monetary statistics follows the European Central Bank (ECB) methodology.

Accuracy and reliability: Source data and statistical techniques are generally sound. Assessments of source data, intermediate data, and statistical outputs are conducted regularly and contribute to the accuracy and reliability of the statistics. For the national accounts and prices, areas for improvement include the Household Budget Survey sample, foreign trade price indices, and quality adjustments and weight calculation techniques for price indices. Even though formal revision studies are not conducted, revised data are reviewed to inform statistical processes.

Serviceability: The Slovak Republic statistics meet SDDS periodicity and timeliness requirements; however, annual national accounts statistics are disseminated with a long lag, and quarterly general government statistics are not disseminated. In general, data are not consistent across sets of macroeconomic statistics. Users cannot reconcile the data based on available information because of coverage, classifications, and basis of recording inconsistencies. Revision policies and practices follow a regular schedule, except for national accounts and government finance statistics. However, revision practices and studies are not widely publicized (except for price statistics).

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Accessibility: Data are widely accessible to users, especially via the Web, and are clearly presented. In general, only summary metadata are available and detailed metadata are not prepared and disseminated to users. Assistance to users follows good practices.

The report inspired the Slovak authorities to adopt the following recommendations: Address intersectoral statistical inconsistencies and reconciliation procedures. Create an inter-

agency group that includes in the core group the NBS, MOF, and SO SR, and as needed, representatives from other agencies (for example, Directorate of Customs, NPF).

Provide users with more detailed metadata. Ensure that metadata are regularly updated and disseminated, and in this context, regularly update the IMF’s SDDS metadata.

Provide users with advance notification of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques.

Ensure that users are aware of the regular revisions cycles for each major data set, and that advance notice is given prior to all significant statistical revisions. Clearly identify all revisions and provide explanations of the reasons for the changes.

Review the legislative arrangements of the SO SR, NBS, and MOF to ensure that the responsibility for dissemination of statistics is clearly specified

Develop dissemination formats that include long time series of data that can be readily downloaded by users.

Review wage levels in the SO SR, with a view to making them competitive with the rest of the public sector.

1.4. Lot of progress was achieved thanks to assistance from Eurostat

The development of the national statistical system has been implemented with the efficient donor assistance of PHARE 2003 – Data Collection and with the support of Eurostat (through grant agreements). During the last two years donor assistance has focused on improving the quality and statistical capacity with help of specific projects, such as:

Social statistics and Demography: Social Protection Data Collection project, Improvement of data quality in Slovak Household Budget Surveys, Labour Force Survey, Labour Market Policy Statistics, Health and disability, Vocational training survey, Educational finance statistics, EU-SILC in Slovakia,

National accounts, Macroeconomics and Price statistics: Assessment of GNI Inventory, Inventory on Constant Price Estimates, Sectors Accounts, Pilot studies of HICP, Flash Estimates.

Economic statistics: Business Services, Business Demography, Pilot studies on ICT expenditure and investment, ICT usage in households, ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises,

Regional statistics: Regstat project, Urban Audit Historical data

1.5. EU the main driving force; domestic strategies often fail to include statistical requirements

The Master Plan should be seen in the context of the Development Strategy (see point 1.2) which is based on an analysis of national requirements especially resulting from economic and social policies of the

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Slovak Republic as formulated in documents of ministries and relevant bodies of public administration. The following processes, strategies and documents should be mentioned in particular:

Performed and expected structural reforms (tax reform, public health reform, social system reform, labour market reform, pension reform, public finance reform),

Competitiveness Strategy of the SR till 2010 (MF SR – 02/2005) National Strategy of Sustainable Development (MŽP SR- 10/2001) National Development Plan of the SR for 2004-2006 (MVRR SR- 03/2003) Strategy of Information Society in the SR conditions (MDPaT SR- 01/2004) Systems Structure of Economic Strategy of the SR for 2005-2013

The Development Strategy of the SO SR has especially to react to requirements from the following important documents:

Competitiveness Strategy till 2010 – Action Plans (MF SR, 07/2005) Action Plan of Sustainable Development of the SR for 2005-2010 (vice premier of the

government of the SR for European Affairs, Human Rights and Minorities 07/2005)

Unfortunately, several of the mentioned documents have relatively imprecise description of statistical requirements. Thus the concrete needs can often only indirectly be evaluated.

The process of EU accession with the need to adapt to EU requirements in the field of statistics has also had a major influence on the transformation of the state statistics. The Slovak statistical system has had to adapt to more than 200 legal acts only in the fields of statistics and also to take account of the “Five-year Community Statistical Programme 2003 to 2007”, which is an annex of the Decision No 2367/2002/ES of the European Parliament and the Council from December 6, 2002.

2. Description of current status of national statistical system

2.1. The main agencies The main agencies in the Slovak statistical system are: Statistical Office (with its research institute Infostat and Public Opinion Institute), Ministry of Finance (Financial Policy Institute), Ministry of labour, social affairs and family (its research department and Institute The Centre of Labour, Social Affairs and Family), Ministry of Education (Institute of Information and Prognoses of Education), Ministry of health (Institute for health information and statistics), Ministry of agriculture, Ministry of the interior, Ministry of culture, Ministry of economy, Ministry of transport, post and telecommunications, National Bank of Slovakia, Social Insurance Agency, Geodesy, cartography and cadastre authority of the Slovak Republic, Customs directorate and Tax directorate.

2.1.1. The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR)

The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) is the central body in the field of statistics. The competences of the office are defined in the Act on State Statistics from November 29, 2001. Some of the tasks are to collaborate with the ministries and other State agencies to draft and adopt the survey program, and thus to coordinate the system of state statistics.

The main challenges faced by SO SR seem to be: low competitiveness at the labour market, because remuneration is lower than in other parts of civil services, weak training activities, and a need to replace some outdated and inefficient hardware and develop new software solutions.

Budgets and staff

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The Statistical Office of the Slovak republic comprises the SO SR headquarters and 8 regional offices. In addition the two additional bodies are attached to the central statistical system; Infostat research centre and the Public Opinion Institute. Only about one third of the staff is connected to the Headquarter (see table below). Almost 80 per cent of the staff are women, ranging from 69 percent at the Headquarter to 88 per cent at the regional offices of Bratislava and Nitra.

Staff composition 1 November 2005, by sex

  Male Female Total Planned FTE Male Female          P.c. P.c.HQ 113 255 368 397 30.7 69.3KS Bratislava 11 80 91 91 12.1 87.9KS Trnava 11 65 76 77 14.5 85.5KS Trenčín 15 57 72 72 20.8 79.2KS Nitra 12 84 96 96 12.5 87.5KS Žilina 13 68 81 83 16.0 84.0KS Banská Bystrica 20 84 104 104 19.2 80.8KS Košice 13 88 101 103 12.9 87.1KS Prešov 25 84 109 107 22.9 77.1Total 233 865 1098 1130 21.2 78.8

The average annual personal costs (gross wages/salaries) per staff were around 5,400 Euro in 2005, ranging from around 6,700 Euro in the Headquarters and the regional office of Bratislava, to 3,300 Euro at the regional office of Trencin. The average for the regional offices (except Bratislava) was around 4,500 Euro. The differences are related to differences in educational background, type of work and length of experience (see table below).

Wages, salaries and total expenditures in thousands, SKK and Euro

  HQ +Br Trnava Nitra Trencin ZilinaB. Bystrica Presov Kosice Total reg Total SO

In 1000 SKK                    Wages, salaries                    

2002 84852 10840 13357 9514 11412 14845 15002 14783 89753 1746052003 91337 11475 14140 10501 12067 15322 16335 15701 95541 1868782004 104973 12323 14722 11094 12930 16668 17255 16433 101425 206398

2005 Budget 117346 13118 15851 12040 13813 17788 17992 17218 107820 225166Total expenditures                    

2002 216407 17256 21158 15046 19540 24022 23997 23464 144483 3608902003 238477 17964 22300 17271 20268 24753 25719 24974 153249 3917262004 254196 20197 24396 18129 22640 27968 28287 26518 168135 422331

2005 Budget 264492 21214 26017 19748 23836 29459 29411 28333 178018 442510In 1000 Euro                    Wages, salaries                    

2002 2245 287 353 252 302 393 397 391 2374 46192003 2416 304 374 278 319 405 432 415 2528 49442004 2777 326 389 293 342 441 456 435 2683 5460

2005 Budget 3104 347 419 319 365 471 476 456 2852 5957Total expenditures                    

2002 5725 457 560 398 517 636 635 621 3822 95472003 6309 475 590 457 536 655 680 661 4054 103632004 6725 534 645 480 599 740 748 702 4448 11173

2005 Budget 6997 561 688 522 631 779 778 750 4709 11707

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On the average 46 per cent of the staff has university education (BA + MA). This level varies from 77 at the Headquarter to 24 at the regional office of Nitra.

Staff by education

 Elemen-

taryHigh

school

High school with

maturaUniversity - Bachelor

University - Master Total

Elementary

High school

High school with

maturaUniversity - Bachelor

University - Master

P.c.HQ Bratislava 2 14 70 1 281 368 0.5 3.8 19.0 0.3 76.4KS Bratislava 1 3 56 0 31 91 1.1 3.3 61.5 0.0 34.1KS Trnava 2 3 47 2 22 76 2.6 3.9 61.8 2.6 28.9KS Trenčín 2 0 47 0 23 72 2.8 0.0 65.3 0.0 31.9KS Nitra 2 1 70 2 21 96 2.1 1.0 72.9 2.1 21.9KS Žilina 0 4 52 1 24 81 0.0 4.9 64.2 1.2 29.6KS Banská Bystrica 2 3 70 1 28 104 1.9 2.9 67.3 1.0 26.9KS Košice 1 4 69 0 27 101 1.0 4.0 68.3 0.0 26.7KS Prešov 0 5 68 5 31 109 0.0 4.6 62.4 4.6 28.4Total 12 37 549 12 488 1098 1.1 3.4 50.0 1.1 44.4

Around 46 per cent of the staff at the Headquarter is more than 50 years of age, whereas the average for the whole organization is 37 per cent. There are relatively few in the age group 31-40 years (18 per cent on the average and 13 per cent at the Headquarter).

Staff by age

  < 3031 -

4041 -

5051 -

60 > 60 Total < 3031 -

4041 -

5051 -

60 > 60P.c.

HQ Bratislava 56 49 94 140 29 368 15.2 13.3 25.5 38.0 7.9KS Bratislava 8 9 34 39 1 91 8.8 9.9 37.4 42.9 1.1KS Trnava 5 22 21 27 1 76 6.6 28.9 27.6 35.5 1.3KS Trenčín 12 14 26 19 1 72 16.7 19.4 36.1 26.4 1.4KS Nitra 14 23 34 25 0 96 14.6 24.0 35.4 26.0 0.0KS Žilina 17 17 33 14 0 81 21.0 21.0 40.7 17.3 0.0KS Banská Bystrica 11 18 38 36 1 104 10.6 17.3 36.5 34.6 1.0KS Košice 5 24 44 27 1 101 5.0 23.8 43.6 26.7 1.0KS Prešov 11 19 33 45 1 109 10.1 17.4 30.3 41.3 0.9Total 139 195 357 372 35 1098 12.7 17.8 32.5 33.9 3.2

For the organization as a whole 56 per cent of the staff has been at the office for less than 10 years, indicating a relatively large turnover. In one regional office (Trencin) this percentage is percentage is 88. At the Headquarter the percentage is 55.

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Staff by years with Statistical Office

  < 5 y 5-10 10-15 15-20 >20 Total < 5 y 5-10 10-15 15-20 >20  Numbers P.cHQ Bratislava 123 79 86 20 60 368 33.4 21.5 23.4 5.4 16.3KS Bratislava 23 15 15 15 23 91 25.3 16.5 16.5 16.5 25.3KS Trnava 10 39 8 12 7 76 13.2 51.3 10.5 15.8 9.2KS Trenčín 19 44 4 4 1 72 26.4 61.1 5.6 5.6 1.4KS Nitra 15 48 11 10 12 96 15.6 50.0 11.5 10.4 12.5KS Žilina 15 36 11 7 12 81 18.5 44.4 13.6 8.6 14.8KS Banská Bystrica 26 17 24 12 25 104 25.0 16.3 23.1 11.5 24.0KS Košice 21 16 20 16 28 101 20.8 15.8 19.8 15.8 27.7KS Prešov 23 44 10 6 26 109 21.1 40.4 9.2 5.5 23.9Total 275 338 189 102 194 1098 25.0 30.8 17.2 9.3 17.7

Thus there are some challenges related to human resources development to amend staff composition: as the average wage level still is relatively low compared to the private sector and even other parts of civil services, the turnover is still relatively high, especially for those most skilled that are needed to develop methodological work. The recruitment and training problem is also important as several experienced members of the staff are approaching pension age.

Organizational structureThe SO SR Headquarter has three main subject matter oriented sections (see organizational chart): National accounts and prices, Business statistics and Social statistics and demography. In addition there is one horizontal section covering Methodology and informatics.

The three subject matter sections have between 44 and 82 employees. The percentage with university degree is between 85 and 91, the number of staff more than 50 years of age varies between 36 and 54 and the number of staff with less than 5 years of experience varies between 23 and 44.

Staff of subject matter sections

Section TotalPlanned FTE Male Female

University degree

>50 years of age

<5 years practice

      P.c. Pc. Pc Pc. Pc.300 Nat. Acc and prices 82 92 30 70 90 40 44500 Business stat. 61 63 25 75 85 54 26600 Social and demographic stat. 44 44 30 70 91 36 23

The present structure with 8 regional offices only dates back to 1996 when some new offices where established in addition to those that partly had been existence for a long time in Bratislava, Banska Bystrica and Kosice.

The regional offices have several responsibilitiesa) They are specialized centres for the preliminary processing of data for specific areas of

statistics (see overview of specialization). The office of Trencin has for instance the

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responsibility for prices and social protection. The main methodological responsibility rests however within the Headquarter.

b) They are responsible for the collection and processing of data concerning several surveys concerning their territory: Structural surveys, Household budget Surveys, Censuses, Consumer prices, Labour force surveys, Organizational statistics.

c) They publish statistical data and indicators on their own region and provide information services to institutional and other users within the region.

Some regional offices, such as Banska Bystrica, had in the past also more advanced tasks related to methodological work and analysis, and could see this as a possibility for increased motivation in the future.

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STATISTICAL OFFICE OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2005

001 PresidentMr. Peter MACH

810 President’s OfficeMs. Mária DOLOGOVÁ, Director 002 Vice-President

Mr. Benjamín BERTA

103 Civil Service Office Secretariat

003 Head of Civil Service OfficeMr. Emil ARVAY

110 Personnel OfficeMr. Peter SMUTNÝ, Head

130 Department of Economic Affairs and Office Service

200 Methodology and Informatics Section

300 National Accounts and Prices Section

410 Department of Comprehensive Analyses and Information

500 Business Statistics Section

600 Social Statistics and Demography Section

840 Institute for Public Opinion Research

Regional Office Bratislava1100

Mr. Vladimír MIROŠŚAY General Director

Mr. Pavol BALÁŹ General Director

Mr. Ivan ŠKULTÉTY General Director

Mr. Milan OLEXA General Director

Regional Office Trnava1200

210 Department of Comprehensive Methodology

310 Department of Current Accounts

430 Department of European Affairs and International Co-operation

510 Department of Production Statistics

610 Department of Population Statistics

Regional Office Trenčín1300

220 Department of Projecting and Programming

320 Department of Accumulation Accounts

520 Department of Agricultural and Environment Statistics

620 Department of Labour and Wages Statistics Regional Office

Nitra1400

230 Department of Information Technology

330 Department of Macro-data and Quarterly Accounts

530 Department of Market Services Statistics

630 Department of Social Statistics

Regional Office Žilina1500

Regional Office Banská Bystrica

340 Department of Price Statistics 501

Unit of Production Measurement and Analysis Methodology

1600

Regional Office Prešov1700

350 Department of External Trade Statistics

Regional Office Košice1800

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INFOSTAT

Processing of statistical surveys at the Regional Offices (Decentralized Offices)SpecializationRegional Office (Decentral. office)

BA TT TN NR ZA BB PR KE

Trade Population Prices Agriculture Transport IndustrySelected market

services Labour market

Finance –Insurance Water management Social protection Posts and telecommunication Tourism Construction

Non-market services Forestry Science and technology Energy Housing construction

Fishery Sickness – accidents

Environment

Regional statistics

BA – Bratislava ZA - ŽilinaTT – Trnava BB – Banská BystricaTN – Trenčín PR - PrešovNR – Nitra KE - Košice

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INFOSTAT - Institute of Informatics and StatisticsInfostat is a research institute, established in 1968 as a Computing Research Centre on the basis of an agreement between the Czechoslovak government and the UNDP programme. From 1993 the Institute has operated as a partially state-financed organization linked to the SO SR: The main orientations are:

Analysis and forecasts: Macroeconomic models development of the Slovak economy Analysis and simulation forecasts of the Slovak economy Demographic analysis and projections Microsimulation models for social policy formulation

Statistical methodology Development and implementation of the System of National Accounts Demographic statistics Price statistics Research and development statistics Sample survey methodology

Information systems: Development of the information systems of the state administration authorities, economic

and administrative institutions Conceptual and methodological studies oriented to the application of new information

technologies in the state statistics Innovation of the content of the state statistics and development of statistical surveys

methodology Design an implementation of integration tools used in statistics (registers, catalogue systems,

classification and code catalogues)

Information technologies Methodology of design and development of software systems Design and implementation of application software

In addition the institute provides training courses in design of information systems, in application development using new information technologies, ECDL trainings and testing.

The Institute has a free status in the respect that it can finance major parts of its activities as commissioned work and the employees are not considered as state employees. On the other side, its linkage to the SO SR, can in some cases be raised as a problem in relation to participation in calls for tenders to perform tasks in the field of statistics.

INFOSTAT has a staff capacity of 108 staff members (status as of 2004). This capacity includes top managers and project managers (11), macro-economy analysts (7), analysts in statistics (13) analysts and designers of information systems (13), application programmers (19), technicians and systems programmers (6), other staff – trainings, administration support, building maintenance (39). They are grouped into research or development teams working on particular projects.

The institute is an indispensable partner to the SO SR in several areas, not least in relation to developing and maintaining key software solutions, methodological survey support and the production of national accounts.

Thus the scope of the future research and development activity at Infostat will be:

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In a short-term perspective Infostat will support the Statistical Office of the SR with research activities in statistical methodology development and its improvement, in the application of information technology in statistical data collection, in data processing and data presentation. The aim of the research activities will be to achieve better quality of statistical data and its more effective processing. The research capacity will be devoted to the following areas:

National accounts where the focus will be given to: Methodological support in the composition of the sectoral quarterly national accounts and in their

harmonization with the yearly compiled national accounts, Satellite accounts and their application in statistical practice, Development of methodology for recalculation of the national account indicators into fixed prices

in accordance with the new EU Transmission program,

Statistical, economic (micro and macro) and demographic analysis and prognosis with the development of the appropriate modelling tools based on latest knowledge of the world science in this area,

Demography research, where the support of the statistical practice will be in the development of methodology, information database and modelling tools for demographic predictions. A special attention will be given to the initiation of the specific demographic surveys such as e.g. for monitoring of population climate, reproduction behaviour, health condition.Research, development and innovations statistics based on the OECD and Eurostat recommendations. Expanding application of sample survey methodology in statistical survey design and processing. Harmonization and re-structuring of business register used in statistical data processing.

Innovation in statistical data collection and data processing by applying modern information technology for data mining, technology of data warehousing within the present ASIS environment. Developing of applications for supporting the data collection by use of electronic questionnaires and electronic data transmission.

Developing and /or application of common standard for data descriptions and data transfer supporting statistical data collection from administrative sources.

The Public Opinion InstituteThis institute is administratively connected to the SO SR, which supplies part of its funding. The rest of the funding is from the market.

The Public Opinion Institute has currently 13 employees, of which 5 are under 30 years of age, two are over 50 years of age, 11 have university degree, two have secondary education, and three have worked for the SO SR for more than 10 years. They create a high-performance work team (they realize about 25 statistical sample surveys per year).

The number of statistical sample surveys in households and individuals required by international organizations is not decreasing, so it is still necessary to collect information for the other SO SR departments. The SO SR committed itself to carry on in realizing business tendency surveys (at least until 2008). The capacity of the Public Opinion Institute is planned to remain unchanged.

The tasks of the Institute: Organizes statistical sample surveys in households and individuals. The data are collected on

voluntary basis through the nationwide network of part-time interviewers. They are mostly ad hoc

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surveys which are not part of the Statistical Surveys Program and they need to be realized in short deadlines and are requested by: 1. Departments of the SO SR (e.g. expenditure estimation on holiday and business trips of

citizens, citizens´ expenditure estimation within hidden economy in informal sector)2. Central bodies of State Administration (e.g. opinion on personal data protection, credibility of

the police forces, readiness for joining the Euro-area)3. International Organizations (e.g. consumer sentiments, drug dependence, population climate,

information and communication technologies) Ensures collection, recording, mathematic-statistical processing, analysis and

interpretation of data from sample surveys 1. Creates and applies methodology for statistical sample surveys with nationwide reference

with respect to representativity, reliability and validity of the results2. Maintains the network of interviewers in required structure, provides them with training and

guidance, evaluates the co-operation with them 3. Builds up and updates the Data Bank from realized surveys

Publishes a quarterly bulletin “Opinions and Consumer Barometer”, provides information reports containing survey results to:1. The President of the SR, the National Council of the SR, the SR Government, the National

Bank of Slovakia, 2. International Organizations (the European Commission, the European Monitoring Centre for

Drugs and Drug Addiction, Eurostat)3. Via internet and media to general public

Technological Infrastructure of the Statistical Information System in the Slovak Republic

The technical infrastructure of the Statistical Information System (SIS) of the Slovak Republic has been gradually upgraded since 1995. The upgrading was carried out in a series of steps, financed by contributions from the national budget and PHARE projects. Annex 1 presents the technical details of both hardware equipment and software used by SO SR.

Within the framework of the GTAF II Program, the headquarters of the Statistical Office has been equipped with new technology built around Digital Unix and Oracle RDBMS. The communication infrastructure of the headquarters has been set up at the same time.

In 1996, the technological transition has been extended to comprise also regional statistical offices, along with the installation of LAN networks based on structured cabling. Within a framework of subprojects, realised in 1997, 1998 and 2000, the STATNET network together with its security subsystem was established. Annex 1 describes this network in detail.

The capacity of the various network resources of the STATNET network, including central computing resources, has been extended, and new network base applications available to end users via Intranet and Internet have been implemented to provide processing of statistical surveys within individual subsystems of the Automated Statistical Information System – ASIS (see Box). Improvements in the technological infrastructure of ASIS with regard to the international standards support more efficient and effective collecting, exchanging, and dissemination of statistical data for both internal and external users (e.g. EUROSTAT, OECD, IMF). The number and variety of users has significantly increased via the SO SR website. Among them are highly qualified expert users, as well as the general public, school students, and others.

The investment allocated so far into ASIS of the Slovak Republic emerged as a solid foundation for the creation of technological preconditions for further a successful upgrading of the Slovak statistical system to EU standards.

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ASIS (Automated Statistical Information System)

ASIS consists of following subsystems:

METIS (subsystem of meta information) The key function of the subsystem is an administration of central metadata base of the ASIS system; the subsystem integrates the content-methodological aspects in survey design with the processing of statistical data.The central metadata base comprises of three parts:Numerical index (catalogue of numerical index, file of items of numerical index)Indicators (catalogue of basic indicators, catalogue of sorted indicators, catalogue of items of indicators, methodical letters)Forms and modules (catalogue of forms, catalogue of modules)

From the technology point of view METIS provides a standard set functions for administration of meta-database and sets also conditions for preparation, design and statistical surveys processing as well as for meta-information to another ASIS subsystems.

REGIS (subsystem of statistical registers):The function of REGIS is the administration and maintaining of registers used in the SO SR to support the statistical surveys design and carry out their processing. It deals mainly with the business register (RO), register of local units (RFU), farm register (FR) and register of spatial units (RSU). Updating of central RO and RFU is provided interactively from regional offices of the SO SR with application of computer network STATNET.

COLLECTION (subsystem of collection and data pre-processing):The subsystem provides the functions for data collection and data pre-processing of statistical surveys, mainly for decentralised data collection. It provides mainly the functions supporting the data collection and assembling of statistical forms from the reporting units, monitoring of duty to submit forms, preparation of information in course of data processing phase for administration use, mainly original report, information related to checking and correction etc. The results of activities carried out in the decentralised level, are data files of statistical surveys, prepared for their further control and correction, approval and submission for next processing.

DS (subsystem of statistical data bank):This subsystem is closely inter-connected to other ASIS subsystems. Its mission is to preserve data in the integrated method as the results of statistical surveys. It consists of two parts:

Source database (SDB)- micro-database with source data acquired during statistical survey from input procedures of statistical information system. Data are stored mainly for further statistical survey and analysis. Data are preserved in the same extent as they were acquired from individual statistical surveys, in basic form, in determined structures including input data from addressed reporting units.

Production database (PDB) macro-database contains data, which were acquired from source data and forms results of further processing (recount, summary, aggregation…).

ELIS (subsystem of electronic informative service):The subsystem function is to provide mediation of statistical information mainly for external users using info-communication technology and providing data in e-form. From technological point of view it is a distribution of statistical information for general public through web-server in on-line regime. ELIS specification is the interface between individual ASIS subsystems and external users

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Scheme of ASIS

There is a clear need to renew much of the existing hardware (servers, PCs etc.) as parts of this is outdated and lack efficiency. Furthermore, some development of the software solutions is also necessary to adapt to new needs and take account of new possibilities, especially by using web technology.

2.1.2. Ministry of Finance

The Department of statistical standards within the MoF collects information on public finances based on the public accounting rules and regulations. There had been long time cooperation with the Statistical Office, as this information is central input to National Accounts. There is a common database accessible by the MoF and the Statistical Office also including data from the State treasury and the Tax revenue directorate.

There are for the moment some quality problems with accounting information coming from about 2900 municipalities as well as some semi-public organizations. There are methodology experts linked to the regional tax revenue offices that support and train local authorities.

Information on performance at municipal level both on financial and non-financial terms is important when assessing social and economic conditions.

Thus one important action that might benefit both administrative and statistical objectives would be to initiate a cooperation project involving several stakeholders (MoF, other ministries (social, health,

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education, SO SR etc.) to establish a joint project facilitating collection of data from this level and improving quality control and follow up.

The MoF performs the calculations in relation to the excessive deficit procedure in the frame of EDP notification in March, but cooperates with the SO SR and both institutions have to accept the results. In the frame of the next notification in September, the SO SR will update the data from national accounts (compiled by SO SR). The EU Commission accepts this procedure and the result.

The new regulations on quarterly financial and non-financial accounts are being handled by the Statistical Office, and the MoF has been preparing the quarterly data to comply with these regulations. A major challenge for the Statistical Office in this field is to be able to recruit and keep staff with sufficient competences.

The Financial Policy Institute (FPI) is serving an analytical capacity for the Ministry of Finance. The FPI focuses particularly on the following areas:

Macroeconomic analyses and forecasts; Tax revenue analyses and forecasts; Public finance and fiscal policy development analyses; Structural reforms monitoring.

The FPI uses a great deal of information to perform its work, the results of which are above all significant documents of a conceptual nature: Convergence Programme and the Cardiff Report, which are being discussed and analyzed on EU ground. FPI is liable for the preparation and updating of short-term and medium-term macroeconomic forecasts for the Slovak economy. Medium-term forecasts serve as a basis for compiling a multiple-budget of public finance and for preparing or updating the Convergence Programme of the Slovak Republic. Moreover, FPI supplies documents to EC and OECD working groups, as well as to domestic and foreign subjects and authorities (e.g. rating agencies). The importance of these documents requires having precise and actual data.

The FPI serves as an analytical capacity for the minister and state secretary. Their requirements are usually under a time pressure and, therefore, the FPI needs to have updated data readily available. In case that the FPI does not have data and they are not publish on SO webpage, the FPI needs a prompt response from SO. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case and the problem is further elaborated below.

The FPI data sources are: SO SR, NBS, departments within MoF, other departments in public sectors (mainly social insurance), Eurostat, EC, OECD, IMF and some other foreign research institution.

The FPI performs its own independent macroeconomic forecasts and there are no plans for outsourcing this activity (e.g. to Infostat). The forecasts are made 3 times in a year put under the scrutiny in Macroeconomic committee that should ensure its objectivity. At the same time, doing forecast “in-house” increases the human capacity and skills of the FPI staff that is very important from long-term perspective. Moreover, the FPI in cooperation with WB expert and Oxford Economic Forecast maintains macroeconomic model of Slovak economy that is linked to international development. This model is used for checking the consistency of the medium-term forecasts and for (policy) simulation. Therefore, the maintaining overall forecasting activity within FPI is considered to be very important.

In general, the cooperation with SO is good, but is dependent on a good personal relation with key persons in SO.

The FPI considers that the provision of data from SO is hampered by a requirement of sending an official data requirement to the central register of SO. When the FPI needs data that are not on the webpage, the IPF used to a make a telephone call to an SO’s expert in particular field in SO. However, the data cannot be send directly by a SO expert (even if he/she has them readily available), but the FPI has to write an email with data requirement to the central register. This central office will evaluate the requirement and then forward it to the expert. The FPI understands that SO needs to keep track of the orders from various

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reasons, but time delay and bureaucratic approach is really de-motivating. The FPI really needs some easing of this process - perhaps in the form of special handling for requests from government institutions.

The FPI perceives information deficiencies in the following two areas: Non-existence of a certain data – a separate list is provided mentioning i.a. inconsistent and

unconsolidated time series of revenues and expenditures, capital stock, regional CPI, and housing price index.

Data from other sources should be centralized on SO webpage - if data source is different than SO, SO does not provide them in central webpage or at least a link to them. This issue concerns mainly statistics on structural indicators such as education (expenses and its structure, teachers wages, etc.), internet penetration of schools, data on R&D. Some of these data are provided by other organizations (that are mentioned in SMP), but the provision of data on SO webpage would significantly ease its usage and reliability.

The MoF is represented by one survey included in the NSS (on property taxes)

2.1.3. Other sector ministries (e.g., Health, Education, Agriculture)

Ministry of labour, social affairs and family

The Ministry is responsible for 10 surveys in the statistical programme related to labour costs, salary of state employees, working conditions and costs of social policies, selected kinds of social services, child care and salaries in social services.

The Ministry is on each side an important partner and user of statistics, especially related to the labour market and social conditions.

Some of the needs expressed by the Ministry are: Data from Labour Force Survey (LFS) at regional level NUTS 4 Faster production of LFS results than it is required by Eurostat Access to LFS data on micro level Improved vacancy statistics

The response given from the SO SR were the following: The costs for a sample that would give regional data would be very high and there were no

financial possibilities. The present production time was within the limits set, and shortening the time would require

additional resources, that were not available. The Statistical Office is working on a solution to provide access to data on micro level, but this

required a secure environment with proper handling of confidentiality issues, and it required also training of users. The process might be speeded up if additional resources were made available.

A vacancy survey was under preparation. Data on job vacancy are included into the existing business statistics survey as a separate module. First data can be published for the 3Q 2005.

The Ministry has also reported problems to understand and use some data related to income differentiation and social exclusion, for instance from the micro-census. There have been major differences in the picture provided by different data within the Ministry.

The Ministry and the SO SR will continue an active discussion and collaboration to ensure that the figures from the EU-SILC survey are as relevant and reliable as possible when published. There is also a need to assess whether this general survey should be supplemented with special surveys targeting special groups of the population, and not least utilising regional data for identifying also regional problems.

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Ministry of Education, Institute of Information and prognoses of Education (UIPS)

The UIPS within the Ministry of Education has the responsibility for collecting data on formal education, whereas the Statistical Office had responsibility for collecting data on informal education, and for instance the new EU regulation on continued vocational training. The cooperation is functioning well and no need for changes are foreseen. The cooperation between the UIPS and the Ministry is based on contract, whereas the cooperation between the UIPS and the Statistical Office is based on a gentlemen’s agreement.

Altogether 50 surveys performed by UIPS are included in the statistical programme and thus based on the Statistical law. It is necessary to study whether some of these surveys have a primary administrative purpose and thus better should be based on a specific administrative law.

There are major concerns concerning the quality of some data as several reforms of the educational system had destroyed established routines and new routines have to be put in place. Tight follow up of schools being the responsibility of municipalities is necessary in order to get data.

A specific issue is budgetary/financial information, which for the moment cause major quality problems.

The collection of data related to schools/universities, except for financial information, is now relatively cumbersome based on paper forms. It is considered that an important action for improving the efficiency of reporting and to provide more accurate and timely data would be to develop an electronic reporting system. None of the partners have for the moment capacity to develop such a solution, but further specifications can be provided in order to include this topic into the SMP action plan.

The UIPS transmits data directly to OECD/Eurostat while informing the Statistical Office. Participation in relevant meetings in Eurostat, UNECE and OECD is split between UIPS and the Statistical Office.

The UIPS is also an institute for analysis and forecasting, and thus is in the position to evaluate requirements and quality in the area of education statistics.

Ministry of health, Institute for health information and statistics

The Institute has 103 full time staff, of which some 80 people are working in the field of statistics.

The Institute has some 80 surveys/questionnaires and is actively developing the use of electronic forms. There are 54 surveys classified as statistical surveys, based on the statistical law and included in the statistical programme. Also in this case it is necessary to assess whether some of these surveys rather have a primary administrative purpose and thus should be based on a separate law.

In general, information on the health sector is well developed, both meeting national needs and the requirements of different international organizations such as OECD, WHO and Eurostat. By tradition the Institute has taken care of the contact with OECD whereas the SO SR has been the main contact versus Eurostat. The cooperation between the Institute and the SO SR is functioning well.

Data on causes of death is collected and controlled by the SO SR, and there are some doubts about the quality of data in this area. Further training and control in this field of statistics is thus necessary.

There are also some issues related to the registration of events at place of event or at place of residence of the involved person, which might need further clarification.

The Institute has an extensive publication program with some 70 publications a year and comprehensive Health Statistics Yearbook also including some data published by the SO SR.

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One major challenge will be to meet the requirements of the draft EU parliament and council regulation on health statistics, where one part will be system of health accounts. The possibility is that data will be required from 2008 onwards. It is suggested that this action could be further specified for inclusion in the SMP. Major issues could be to assess the adequacy of existing health information sources, as well as the division of responsibilities between the Institute of Health Information and Statistics and the SO SR.

Ministry of agriculture

The ministry uses some 10,8 mill. SKK for collecting and processing statistical information. Altogether 34 surveys by the ministry are included in the statistical programme, 16 of these are regular surveys.

Over the last years all cases of overlapping data collection between the ministry and the Statistical Office have been solved due to the work of a working group, and the cooperation is functioning well.

There is a split responsibility with the Statistical Office being responsible for data collection from farms whereas the ministry collects data from agricultural enterprises and on the processing of agricultural products.

From 2005 onwards the collection and processing of data is taken care of by a private company, Radella, which also had the responsibility to disseminate data to users, mainly via its web site: http://www.radela.sk/rezort/. Much effort had been done to make use of new technology both in the data collection process and in the data handling process, for instance by standardising metadata.

There was also a split responsibility in relation to European legislation; the Ministry had responsibility in relation to crop production, animal production, vineyards, orchards and milk and the FADN network, whereas the Statistical Office had the responsibility for the farm structure survey. In the case of the new regulation on economic accounts for agriculture there was cooperation between the Statistical Office and the Research Institute for Agriculture and Food Economics belonging to the Ministry. The final results had to be approved by a joint working group.

No major problems were reported in relation to fulfilling European requirements. All data in this field were transmitted to Eurostat via the Statistical Office, but the Ministry had a separate web site on agricultural statistics, where there was also links to other sites, such as the Statistical Office.

Ministry of the interior

The Ministry maintains a central population file. The Ministry has for many years worked on improving the quality of the population register system in order to make this more usable for other administrative purposes and for statistics. However, there had been several formal, financial and technical issues to be solved. A common, high quality register would mean improved public administration and more cost efficient production of high quality demographic statistics. Cooperation between the Ministry with important partners, such as the SO SR, will be needed to finalise this project within the next couple of years. This would not least be important for planning the census operations. A parallel development of a standardised address register would also be useful for instance to develop geographic information handling.

The Ministry is responsible for four surveys included in the statistical programme, all related to activities of municipalities.

The Ministry has a major role in relation the handling transfers to the municipal sector which is now around 80 billion SKK, increasing from around 32 billion in 2001. Thus it also has a major interest in collecting data on the operations from the 2880 municipalities after the administrative reform. Even if some of these municipalities may gradually establish joint administrative functions with more qualified staff, these changes have caused large problems to get good quality data for different sectors, such as the

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financial and the economic sector, education, health and social services. Thus a joint data collection initiative involving relevant partners could be a way to proceed in order to get more systematic information on this important sector. A regular updating of ‘municipal key figures’ would be an important product.

It should be noted that the consequences of administrative reforms had not been analysed in relation to data collection and data supply, and that no compensation had been provided to those institutions, including the Statistical Office, that had huge tasks to adapt their routines and systems.

It was mentioned that the register on public administration, updated by the Ministry would be very useful also for the Statistical Office, and some efforts to improve and use this register should be made.

The Statistical Office had established good cooperation with the Ministry in the field of crime statistics, where there are new demands to be met.

The forthcoming regulation on migration (including refugees and asylum seekers) will depend on collaboration with the Ministry.

Ministry of culture

The Ministry compiles 17 statistical surveys from around 6000 respondents covering both cultural topics and religious groups and churches. Only one person worked in the field of statistics. Most of the basic collection of data was done via subsidiary bodies of the Ministry (National gallery, National library etc.). Data are collected either in questionnaire form or electronic form (50% / 50%). They are further processed to rather extensive reports as well as presented on the web of the Ministry (only in Slovak language).

One major problem reported is to get information on cultural activity from the local administrative level, and thus the Ministry very much would support an initiative to develop a joint data collection activity from the local level, using modern technology.

There is nothing like a Media user survey, but the different media collect their own user information. As Slovakia neither has a Time use survey, there is apparently a lack of consistent information in this area. It was mentioned that the Ministry would like to know more about how the age group 6-18 utilised cultural offers, and a survey that could help to understand this issue would be welcome.

The cooperation with the SO SR is very good. The SO SR receives the information collected by the Ministry and utilises it in for instance Social trends and in annual publications on culture.

Ministry of economy

The tasks of the ministry are related to the environment for business, trade, tourism and the production and trading of military weapons and ammunition.

In the field of tourism statistics the Ministry performs several surveys, for instance a sample survey among tourists entering Slovak territory and on domestic tourism. These surveys are not part of the statistical program. Cooperation with the SO SR is good.

The Ministry compiles and disseminates an annual summary of ‘Tourism in Slovakia’, also including some statistics produced by the SO SR, as an annex to a brochure ‘Panorama of Slovakia’ prepared for mass distribution.

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The main challenge is to develop satellite accounts on tourism, which had been on the agenda for several years involving several partners both this Ministry and the National Bank and the Statistical Office. The main problem is lack of available resources.

It is suggested that an action to develop satellite accounts on tourism could be developed for inclusion in the master plan, requiring more concrete specification of costs, partners, data requirements, benefits and timetable.

The Ministry compiles a relatively comprehensive regular Information bulletin (in Slovak language) covering topics as macroeconomic information, microeconomic information, tourism and trade.

The Ministry has responsibility for three regular surveys on production and trading of military material, included in the statistical program. As surveys in this area can be used for control and monitoring of activities of individual companies, the use of the statistical law as a basis might not be appropriate.

In its role as taking care of the business environment the Ministry is involved in activities for reducing the response burden of enterprises. An action plan for simplification is under way and the target is to map all laws and surveys that contributed to the response burden of enterprises. It has been indicated that the statistical surveys might be considered to have a major responsibility for this response burden. This issue needs further clarification as some of the surveys now mainly might have an administrative purpose, and thus should not be considered as statistical surveys.

This initiative for simplification and reduction of response burden, which is in line with initiatives at the EU level, provides a strong input to some actions also within the framework of the statistical master plan. Some results are expected already in 2006.

The Ministry on the other has announced a need for improved statistical information about small and medium sized enterprises, which makes up a considerable amount of the production in Slovakia. A specific survey had been investigated. From the SO SR it was mentioned that access to information from Tax authorities (including VAT), that now was possible, could be a major source and thus avoiding surveys that increase response burden.

In general the cooperation between the Ministry and SO SR is good, but with a need to intensify this cooperation in some specific areas.

The SO SR cooperates with the Ministry also in other fields like providing data for policy making (energy, industry, tourism, foreign trade).

Ministry of transport, post and telecommunications

The Ministry has three small institutes that collect data in different fields: transport, (3 persons involved), telecommunications (3 persons), post (1 person).

The Ministry has the responsibility for the meeting the requirements of several European acts in the field of transport statistics (railways, air transport), whereas the Statistical Office has the responsibility for some acts that require special statistical surveys (Road transport and ICT).

The division of labour between the Ministry and the Statistical Office seems to be clear and there is good cooperation. European requirements are generally being met, and no major areas in need for development are identified.

The Ministry uses the Statistical Law as a basis for its collection of what is called administrative data. The Ministry publishes its own data on its Web site as well as in separate publications. Some of the same data are included in products disseminated by the Statistical Office.

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The SO SR cooperates with the Ministry also in the following fields: i) in the frame of the Danube Committee by providing data from inland waterways transport survey, ii) statistical survey on transport infrastructure and iii) survey on road transport accidents.

2.1.4. Other agencies

The National Bank of Slovakia

The National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) has a similar status as SO SR regarding professional autonomy. The governor of the NBS participates in the meetings of the government.

The NBS is in charge of balance of payment (BOP) statistics and money and banking statistics. While these statistics are part of official state statistics, the surveys of NBS are not included in the Statistical Survey Programme (SSP).

The National Bank collects data based on five legal acts: Banking law Foreign exchange act Law on national bank Act on insurance Act on supervision of the financial market

The bank had| its own legislative powers and could issue regulations specifying the data that were to be collected.

From January 2006 the Financial Market Supervision Authority became part of the National bank, giving the National bank supervisory authority and the authority to collect data for all actors in the financial market; banks, insurance companies, pension funds and other types of credit financial institutions. This change will require several adaptations in the legislative framework that will take some time to implement. A main challenge will be to differentiate between supervising and statistical/analytical activity.

There is tight cooperation between the NBS and the SO SR based on a signed agreement on data exchange, and there are no major problems in this interaction. It is indicated that the cooperation between the NB and SO SR and the Ministry of Finance in other areas than the Excessive Deficit Procedure, could be improved.

There are several challenges in fulfilling new requirements in relation to the ECB, especially for providing information on other financial intermediaries and on monetary union financial accounts (MUFA). Assessing housing rent is also a joint challenge, i.a. in relation to national accounts.

It is specified in the law which tasks the bank have, for instance in relation to Balance of payments. Thus any change of division of labour between the NBS and the SO SR is not easy. After its reorganisation from January 2006 the NBS will have around 58 people working in different sections within the Statistics department.

The NBS has a clear opinion about the main users of its statistics; internal departments, the ECB, IMF, BIS, SO SR and some external users such as the commercial banks.

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Social Insurance Agency

The Social Insurance Agency is a statutory institution established by the Act Slovak Parliament No. 274/1994 Collection of Laws on the Social Insurance Agency as amended by later regulations, which executes social protection in the field of sickness insurance, old age insurance, accident (injury) insurance, guarantee and unemployment insurance and in accordance with Act No. 461/2003 of the Collection of Laws on social insurance as amended by later regulations and in accordance with other generally binding legal regulations that became effective since the 1 January 2004. The activities related to guarantee insurance and unemployment insurance have been assumed from the National Labour Office until the 31 December 2003.

The basic source of the Social Insurance Agency revenues is created by collecting insurance contributions from employees, employers, self-employed persons and voluntarily insured persons, as well as state paid contributions on behalf of economically inactive persons.

The Social Insurance Agency paid contributions on behalf of disable pensioners in economically active age. The revenues from the outstanding insurance contributions and penalizing steps, interests on current accounts and time deposits belong to other sources of revenues registered within the scope of other revenues including the means accumulated from previous years.

According to the Act No. 43/2004 of the Collection of Laws on Old Age Pension Saving the 2nd pillar has started in Slovakia since the 1 January 2005. The 2nd pillar for some people is voluntary and for some people it is mandatory. For the people who have been started to work and to pay contributions the first time in this year 2005 or later and they hadn’t any credits in the 1st pillar before the year 2005, the 2nd pillar is mandatory. For the others the 2nd pillar is voluntary. The contribution rate for the 2nd pillar is 9 %. The people who are insured in the 2nd pillar are insured in the mandatory 1st pillar, too and they pay also 9% of their assessment base to Social Insurance Agency. In the 2nd pillar the insurance is based on capital/funded principal in individual accounts in one of the private pensions company.

In accordance with the validity of Act on Social Insurance the new information system has been implemented for the purpose of processing the data for the unified insurance contribution collection. It is a centralised information system of unified insurance contributions collection providing registration of the insurance contributors and insured persons, evidence and processing of the payments related to insurance, insurance contributions monthly statements, evidence and processing of the regulations related to the self-employed persons and voluntarily insured persons, performs elaboration of the monthly revenues statement, checking the insurance contribution collecting process and evidence and processing of the claims. The new web site of the electronic registry was also provided to the employers for the purpose of feeding the monthly insurance statements via electronic way. Since the 1 February 2005 the information system for old age pension saving have been started running in connection with collection of contributions and provide the transfer these contributions to the private pension administration companies.

The agency has managed the transfer to a major administrative reform from 2004, and the quality of the data processed was generally considered to be of good quality, due to their importance. This is confirmed by SO SR, that uses the summary results in their statistical production, for instance when providing data to ESSPROS (European social protection statistics).

The insurance agency is on its side a user of statistical information, especially related to demographic development and salaries and wages.

The issue of access to extracts from the pension system on micro level is being discussed. Such access will be in line with the strategy to make more extensive use of administrative sources, it will improve the services that the Statistical Office can provide, and thus also provide a better basis for analysis in this field. For the moment there are apparently some restrictions in the law on which these data are collected

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that might restrict transmission. An amendment can be investigated. The Statistical Office on its side shall further assess practical and formal arrangements for increased access to and possible combination of administrative sources on micro level, taking into account different legal issues.

The Centre of Labour, Social Affairs and Family

This Centre is subordinated to the Ministry of labour, social affairs and family. Some of its tasks are to ensure the payments of different state social benefits; poverty benefits, children benefits etc. as well as some benefits related to handicap and severe disablement. Furthermore the centre updates information on unemployment. The Social insurance agency provides the payment of unemployment benefits.

In the field of social benefits it was mentioned that the statistics derived from information collected in this area was incomplete and not sufficient for the purpose of quantifying effects of government policies. This information needs to be complemented with information from the Social Insurance Agency and seen in relation to statistics collected through statistical surveys. For the moment there were some problems to get access to information from the Social Insurance Agency on micro level, and this problem should be addressed through appropriate channels.

The centre would like to receive employment data on district level from the Statistical Office, and even on municipal level, in order to calculate unemployment rates. For the moment such estimates at regional level have a relative high degree of uncertainty. As extending the LFS sample to make this possible, is too costly, one option that could be looked into in future is to develop more systematically joint registers on employers/employees to cover regional data.

Users of unemployment statistics are in general considered to be well informed about the differences between registered unemployment and persons out of work according the LFS. Some journalists use the harmonized unemployment rates as elaborated by Eurostat, based on both sources.The centre compiles statistics on foreigners living and working in the Slovak republic.

The centre disseminates statistics through regular bulletins and through is Web pages, and would be favourable to a more coordinated approach with the Statistical office.

The centre has a very close cooperation with the Statistical office, and this cooperation will be developed further, both in the exchange of data and in the field of dissemination. Close cooperation will especially be necessary to meet the requirements of the new regulation on European Statistics on Social Protection (ESSPROS), which is in the process of being adopted.

Geodesy, cartography and cadastre authority of the Slovak Republic

The authority consists of the following main units:The Geodetic and Cartographic Institute in Bratislava with tasks related to maintaining the geodetic observation system and to produce state map series in scales 1:10 000 to 1: 1 million. ?The Cadastral Institute in Zilina with i.a. the responsibility for updating cadastral documentation.The Research Institute of Geodesy and Cartography in Bratislava with tasks related to research and training in geodesy and cartography.

There is a regional network of 9 Cadastral Offices and 72 District Cadastral Registries.

The Geodetic and Cartographic Institute has collaborated with the Statistical office in the field of census mapping and will also be an important partner in the next census (2011) where the ambition is to have maps in digital form. The Institute is responsible for the administrative boundaries whereas the Statistical office develops the guidelines for the detailed census-taking units to be established.

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The Institute together with the Ministry of Defence has initiated an ambitious plan to develop total digital map coverage in scale 1:10000 by 2010. The Institute has also the ambition to get all cadastral maps in digital, vector form. For the moment 40 per cent are still in paper copy.

The Institute provides the Statistical Office, and other users, with digital boundary information to be used as a basis for thematic mapping, free of charge.

The Institute maintains a database with cadastral information with some 400 000 sales/transfers every year, plus some 400 000 other changes. Still some 15 per cent of the land parcels in Slovakia lack information on owners. The basic cadastral forms contain prices, but this information is not entered into the database, and this information system is not used for producing general statistics on property transfer and prices, so far.

For the moment there is no standardised address system or address register in Slovakia, and there is no institution that has a clear lead. A standardised address system/register will give great benefits for several administrative users and not least to the statistical office for census operations and for updating of business register information. The Institute has interest in address information in connection with updating of the cadastre, but is for the moment restricted by law to use other information than what is provided by the owner, which might not be correct.

The issue of developing an address register could be a case for the Informatics Council, headed by the Ministry of Transport. However, there might be other interested users, such as the Statistical Office, that might support the preparation and develop user requirements. An action in this direction is included in this plan.

Customs directorate

The Customs directorate is the main partner for collection data both for external trade statistics and the INTRASTAT system. A service level agreement was signed in April 2004. This regulates those activities that should be done by the Statistical Office of the SR and those by the Customs administration, as well as deadlines and technical information on the structure of data transmitted. An amendment to the service level agreement will have to take account also of the data requirements of the Business register and the National Accounts Department.

The cooperation is confirmed to be working well and the data provided of good quality meeting user requirements. Some problems with quality of data from large multinational companies were mentioned, but these have now been solved. Mirror statistics in relation to for instance the Czech republic showed relatively small differences. It was mentioned that some users were not happy with the simplified version of INTRASTAT as they missed some detailed information.

Tax directorate

The Headquarter of the Tax directorate was established in Banska Bystrica in 1992 and has 8 regional offices and 102 tax offices, with altogether around 6000 employees.

One issue is the use of unique common identifiers both for natural persons and legal persons, where much work has been done to establish unambiguous identifiers and remove duplicates. There are still needs to agree on a state policy in this field and work has been underway within a separate working group. Status is for the moment unknown.

One part of this is to have unique and standard address identification. The main problem is that a person in principle shall notify a number of authorities when changing the address, but often such notifications are not made. A situation where one authority updated the official address for each person, with the

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possibility for automatic transfer to other authorities would thus simplify the situation both for the citizens and for the authorities.

The main registers where common identifiers and addresses would be useful to standardise are: Sole trade register Company register Cadastre Population register

A general agreement between the Tax Directorate of SR and the SO SR on exchange of data is under preparation. The data delivered will cover data from the VIES declarations and the register of VAT payers as well as information required by EC Regulation No. 638/2004.

Even if no formal agreement is signed yet the Tax Directorate data transfers regularly to the SO SR the following files:

Identification data on VAT payers from the VAT register including all changes in the register; Data from VAT returns including boxes which does not directly concern intra-Community

transactions; Data from VIES returns.

Thus in this area data exchange is functioning well, based on the Act No. 540/2001 on State statistics, under which the SO SR may require the transmission of data from any ministry, state agency, self-governing municipal body or public institution for the purpose of state statistics. Also the Act No. 511/1992 related to the administration of taxes and fees it is mentioned that the tax administration may provide to the Statistical Office data protected by statistical secrecy for the statistical reasons and for the management of statistical registers.

The situation is different when it comes to the transfer of individual data on income and tax returns. These data are transferred but identifiers are removed which restricts the possibility to combine these data with micro data from other sources, for a more complete statistical analysis of income and money transfers by households also at regional level. Without being able to analyse income as registered in the tax system, in combination with other types of benefits and transfers, it may be difficult to use these data in a meaningful way for statistical and analytical purposes.

2.2. Mechanisms for planning and coordinating statistical activities are in place, but communication remains a major issue

Main ways of consultationThe consultation / dialog between the statistical data and information providers (SO SR and other NSS players) and the users of the data and information (incl. the users dealing with the design, monitoring and evaluation of social policies) is realised through the following tools:

Statistical Council meetings;

Mixed working groups meetings;

Negotiations about the general agreements and other contracts on supply of statistical data and information;

Consultations during the preparation phase of the Program of statistical surveys;

Round tables or seminars on specific issues related to methodologies used in the actual statistical activity, as well as on problems in getting relevant, authentic and internationally comparable statistical information and on the ways of solving them;

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Specialised meetings with:

o Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family, focused on themes of labour market and living conditions;

o Ministry of Health, focused on pilot projects of health accounts and health care, subjective opinion on health status of population and health examinations survey;

o Ministry of Education, focused on life long learning and adult learning;

o Ministry of Culture, focused on occupation in culture; and

Specialised meetings with other important user groups (such as analytical journalists and media commentators, bank and financial analysts).

The new statistical law prescribes a Statistical Council, which is a permanent expert advisory body for the President of the Statistical Office in the field of State statistics. The council shall draft proposals and recommendations regarding concepts used with State statistics and perform other tasks (cf. Council by-laws). Members are appointed and dismissed by the President of the Office based on recommendation by ministries, State agencies and public institutions.

The Council has now 13 members from different ministries and 10 from different agencies and organizations, including one from a university (see Annex 2). The tasks of the Council are:

a) To prepare proposals and recommendations for the production of state statistics, b)To negotiate the Programme of State Statistical Surveys,c) To negotiate proposals of substantial changes in the Act on State Statistics,d)To comment on the range of information needed for evaluating social and economic development,

on a methodology of collecting such information and on methods for processing and publishing,

e) To comment on the introduction of new statistical classifications, nomenclatures and registers in accordance with international standards,

f) To comment on issues of harmonization of statistical surveys with international standards,g)To negotiate issues of mutual cooperation and exchange of information in the field of state

statistics among the Statistical Office, ministries, other central state administration bodies and founded organizations by this bodies and others state administration bodies founded according to individual rules, public service institutions, social and economic partners,

h)To negotiate other issues of state statistics submitted by the President of the Office or by the members of the Council.

The Statistical Council is considered useful common platform for meetings and discussing statistical issues, and also a place to get information about new requirements, especially from the European Union. However, it still can be evaluated how to strengthen the coordinating function of this body. The efficiency of this body also will have to rely on the mandate of the members and their contribution to the coordination process. It some cases more policy oriented issues will have to handled in direct bilateral meetings with relevant ministries and directorates.

State statistical programme (SSP):

The compilation of the statistical programme, which in principle covers 3 years, but is amended on an annual basis, is a major task. The programme has a formal status being issued as a decree by the President of the Statistical Office.

For the moment there are 120 surveys performed by the Statistical Office and around 190 surveys performed by other agencies/ministries. Surveys included in the program should be considered as statistical surveys, where collection and handling of data are based on the Statistical Law.

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One issue that deserves attention is whether some surveys included in the programme are in fact primarily for administrative purposes (for control and assessment of individual respondents), and should be based on a separate law. To base such surveys on the statistical law creates problems for the use of the survey for administrative purposes (confidentiality).

At the same time the Statistical Office should be provided stronger tools to influence and coordinate also administrative surveys in order to avoid overlap and excessive response burden. The Statistical Office should also have access to the results of administrative routines, based on the statistical law and could provide services to the responsible ministry when it comes to questionnaire design and tools for data collection. Some amendments to the present statistical law might thus be necessary.

There is also a need to get a better overview of resources used for statistical surveys within different partners of the statistical system, and some efforts in this direction should be made.

Some issues for consideration: The coordinating role of the Statistical council and relationship to more targeted and bilateral

meetings The inclusion of surveys in the statistical programme of a possible administrative nature The process for establishing the annual programme, and for follow up of the program

3. Assessment of strengths and weaknesses of current system

3.1. Strengths and weaknesses of the system as a whole

The Statistical Office is in the process of renewal based on the implementation of the new SO SR development strategy, related strategic plan and QMS (quality management system) according to ISO norm. This strategy is especially focusing on customer orientation, a process approach and improved horizontal communication and coordination. So far there are no concrete plans for a major reorganisation of activities within the whole SO SR. However, the top management of the SO SR is discussing some amendments in the direction of a functional organisation.

Partly due to the present organisation of the state administration there is no proposal for the moment to reduce the number of regional offices - branches of SO SR (even if this will have to be considered in a more long time perspective). However, decentralisation of the responsibility for data collection within specific areas to regional offices has been decided in order to relieve the burden on the headquarters (see point 2.1.1.). Still, the main methodological responsibility and the responsibility for the contact with main users remain within the headquarters. Provided that it is not possible to shift resources within this structure, one option might be to decentralise the total responsibility for specific products and surveys totally to one regional office. This would simplify the structure and ensure higher efficiency of the production lines. In fact it might be discussed to develop a sort of network organisation with split responsibilities between different regional locations.

The cooperation between SO SR and the partners of the statistical system in general appears to be functioning well. In many cases there are formal agreements or gentlemen’s agreements. There are apparently no plans to change the division of labour by for instance transferring responsibility for some areas to the Statistical Office. However, such proposals might appear during the further discussions of the master plan as such actions could improve the efficiency of data collection and dissemination and ensure a more consistent statistical system.

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However, many clients have experienced and perceived problems with data quality especially in the field of social statistics, which formed background for the initiative to develop a statistical master plan. These problems are related both to the overall quality of data and inconsistencies between different sources, and especially inconsistency over time. Several actions have already been taken in order to ensure higher quality of data collected through sample surveys. Especially much effort is being put into the new EU-SILC survey in order to ensure quality on a comparable level with other EU countries. Still there are major challenges in providing consistent time series and improve consistency between sources, and invest more in dissemination and analysis of results (se more specific description of the relevant surveys, EU-SILC, the Household Budget Survey and the Labour Force Survey under point 3.3.1).

The statistical system has a relatively good balance between sample surveys and the use of administrative sources, when available. The intention is in the future to make as much as possible use of administrative sources in order to reduce response burden and to reduce survey costs. Use of administrative sources could also improve the availability of data also for social studies at regional level.

The Statistical Office has a challenge in relation to improving user contact and the image of statistical information. One option in order to improve dissemination and at the same time make the job more interesting for competent staff is to focus more on analytical work. This will also have positive feedback on improving the quality of the products. As the dissemination of statistics in some areas is somewhat fragmented with parts disseminated from the Statistical Office and some from other institutes or ministries, the establishment of a common statistical portal could be an option to provide users improved access to the whole statistical system. Apparently most transmission of information to international organisations is now being done via the Statistical Office, with some exceptions for the National bank and the Ministry of Finance.

The statistical system has still a challenge to follow in detail all new EU regulations, even if compliance is considered to be acceptable in most areas for the moment. Major areas that need development are in the field of social statistics (where the new EU-SILC survey will mark a major step forward) and economic statistics in order to solve some remaining issues. There is also the need to improve the coverage and integration of statistics in some specific areas through an accounting framework, namely within tourism statistics, health statistics and education statistics. In cooperation with external partners it is also important to improve the integrated collection of data from local authorities, and to develop the population registration system and address register that will benefit both future population censuses and population statistics and business registration on a continuous basis.

There is a need to clarify the differences between surveys targeting administrative purposes and statistical surveys. In the first case the use of the statistical law as basis for data collection is not appropriate and data collection for such tasks should be covered by special sectoral laws. In this context it might be necessary to amend the statistical law to ensure influence on administrative surveys and to provide a clearer legal basis for using administrative registers on micro level.

Even if this is a statistical capacity master plan it is certainly useful not to consider statistical information in isolation, but to assess all information that can be used for evidence based decision-making. This includes also information that might not be considered purely statistical in nature.

The main strengths appear to be: A relatively new statistical law that provides a good basis for the collection and handling

of statistical information, even if there are points that can be improved.

The statistical system of Slovakia is on fairly developed level with a broad coverage of areas, and following normal quality norms. In most areas compliance with European requirements are met to a high degree and the intention is also to follow new requirements closely.

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The available resources (HR) for the production of statistics within the system as a whole appear to be on a relatively good level, even if there are concerns about the lack of stability and competences in some areas.

A well developed and communicated strategic plan for the Statistical Office.

Motivated staff with long experience in several areas.

Generally good communication between the partners within the statistical system, even if concrete results and concrete cooperation can be improved.

Main weaknesses/challenges:This overview is sorted according to the main areas of action in chapter 5 and not a priority list:

Management and human resources

Lack of robustness and flexibility both due the present division of tasks between the SO SR and different ministries/institutes and due to the organisational set up of the SO SR with several geographical locations and not enough experienced experts in some areas. Some experts are approaching pension age, and there have been problems to recruit and keep new experts due to relatively low wage levels in the Statistical Office.

Lack of language and communication skills that lead to problems in communication at international level and with international consultants.

A major concern is to have access to sufficient human and financial resources to meet permanently coming new European requirements especially within the Headquarters of the Statistical Office. Parts of the system are now under heavy pressure, increasing the problem to keep professional staff.

Statistical infrastructure

A fragmented national statistical production system (NSS), however centrally coordinated by SO SR through Programme of the State Statistical Surveys (further in the text “statistical programme”) and by the Statistical Council.

A fragmented dissemination system, leading to overlap and inconsistency in the output, and making it difficult for users to find required statistics. There might be too much resources used on publications both within different ministries and within the SO SR that are partly overlapping and not all publications are up to standard when it comes to presentation in the form of tables, graphs and thematic maps.

The whole system is in general too survey and input oriented and there is a need to focus more on customers and products, with dissemination of useful information targeting both general and specific issues. There are thus possibly too many numbers and tables produced and too little information that reaches end users. Increased focus on metadata/documentation for end users is necessary.

Data collection, control and editing in some areas are possibly inefficient due to the fragmentation of the NSS, and lack of consistent knowledge and solutions (electronic solutions should be used more instead of manual work – the process should be simplified, SO SR should be the advisor mainly in statistical processes).

Statistical operations

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Lack of consistent data, especially as time series, broken down at regional level and for subgroups, in the field of social statistics is a major problem, making it difficult to assess the real level of poverty and social exclusion and monitor effects of social policy.

Lack of proper integrating and accounting frameworks in several statistical areas.

A need to improve the coverage and quality of regional statistics as well as economic statistics.

A need to provide better infrastructure for future population censuses and for continuous sample surveys.

Some structural problems that limit the capacity and the quality of the Slovak statistical system are considered to be:

1) The National Statistical System (NSS) is very fragmented, even if the majority of data is provided on the base of Act on State Statistics and not on the basis of acts of subject matter departments.

2) Insufficient authority of the National Statistical Office (NSO) in formulating and coordinating information requirements from administrative sources within the legislative process.

3) Delay in the implementation of EU legislation in other subject areas causes non-efficient access to administrative data that could have be utilised for statistical purposes, as in other EU countries.

4) For historical reasons different national principles are still used within individual areas of the economy and the social environment (financing, budgeting, accounting, social principles, economy rules, etc.), and this has a negative effect on the standardisation in the field of statistics.

5) Existence of different data protection law and rules within different areas of the administration before the law on statistics was adopted causes problems for accessing some administrative sources.

3.1.1. Adequacy of legislation: coordination and confidentiality are main issues

The act on state statistics was adopted November 29, 2001. The act covers aspects related to data collection to produce ‘state statistics’, the position and competences of different bodies in producing statistics, the rights and obligations of reporting units and the protection of confidential data.

The act names the Central Statistical office as the central body of the State administration in the field of State statistics, and says also that Ministries or State agencies may carry out the tasks of State statistics under the conditions and to the extent set out by the law.

One major effect of the law has been to remove the overlap of data collection, based on the work of a task force.

Furthermore, the SO SR is gradually getting better access to administrative data sources. One example is that the SO SR has got access to tax data based on a change in primarily law, and similar approaches are under way in other areas.

The main weakness of the law is that it does not give the SO SR a proper basis for influencing the development of existing and new administrative sources. An amendment is being studied.

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Another issue is the different rules for handling confidential data in laws adopted before the statistical law, creating some problems for getting access to data for statistical purposes.

One issue to be further studied is to what extent the statistical law is overburdened and partly misused as a basis for collecting data that primarily have administrative purposes. There are indications that this is still the case, and the need thus might be to develop proper administrative legislation in some areas, and at the same time ensuring that the statistical system can utilise the administrative data for statistical purposes.

The law has a part on dissemination of statistical information, where the focus is much on handling confidential data. Furthermore there is one article on Statistical information granting, listing bodies and authorities that shall be granted statistical information by the SO SR free of charge. However, the law has little focus on the duty of dissemination both for the SO SR and the other partners of the statistical system, which is an issue that might be looked into.

The law does not have a clear definition of state (or official) statistics taking into consideration different quality aspects (see also point 3.1.4). It refers however to ‘comparability for the purposes of assessing the socio-economic development of the Slovak Republic (Article 2 a), as well as ensuring international comparability. In Article 3 is also refers to the use of scientific principles and that the work shall be guided by the principles of reliability, objectivity, transparency, openness and protection of confidential data. Thus the issue of quality of statistics could have been treated in a more systematic way.

3.1.2. Independence from political interference

The new statistical law is supposed to improve the protection from political interference, where in article 3, point 2, one of the basic guidelines is expressed as:

(2) Office, ministries or State agencies shall be independent and impartial in their collecting, processing or evaluating statistical information, exerting cost efficiency and maintaining the trust of the general public and shall be guided by principles of reliability, objectivity, transparency, openness and protection of confidential data.

Furthermore, the President of the Office is appointed according to a fix term appointment for five years. The President shall only be dismissed by the President of the Slovak Republic under specific circumstances (Article 7, point 2).

However, the causes that might lead to dismissal are open for interpretation, and it is not obvious that the law might protect the President from dismissal due to political reasons. Only practice will show the real independence.

3.1.3. Quality awareness

As mentioned above, the law on statistics has some references to quality aspects (see also below in point 3.1.5), even if these could have been somewhat clarified and elaborated.

A major initiative was taken by a Declaration of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic on Quality Policy and Quality Management System, issued on 10th April 2003. This declaration described the basis tasks of the SO SR management regarding creating, managing and improving quality. It also represented the first level of documentation according to the standard STN EN ISO 9001:2000, which the SO SR is planning to subscribe to.

Organization and control mechanisms related to quality in statistics are based on the self-assessment procedures carried out by the survey managers. The following processes are the objects of the assessments: decision to undertake a survey (analysis of user needs and survey objectives), survey design,

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data collection, data capture and data processing, data analyses and output quality, documentation and dissemination and at the end the improvement cycle. The outcomes are: the self-assessment checklists related to particular statistical surveys and in specific cases the standard quality reports.

Control mechanisms used for monitoring and verifying the effective implementation of the general quality management system in SO SR (according to ISO 9001 standard), including the quality policy, are the internal audits realised according to international standards for the first time in 2006.

The Slovak Republic has subscribed to the IMFs SDDS since 1996 and observes or exceeds all of the prescriptions of these standards. The National Summary Data Page is hyperlinked to the Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board.

Issues related to quality in specific fields are further discussed in 3.3.2.

3.1.4. Adherence to professional ethics and international standards

The Law on Statistics says in Article 3, point 1:

When executing State statistics and implementing Survey Schedules the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred to as the “Office”), ministries or other central authorities of the State administration (hereinafter referred to as the “ministries”) or agencies founded by them or other bodies of the State administration founded pursuant to special regulations1 (hereinafter referred to as the “State agencies”) shall be guided by this Act, special laws or other generally binding legislation and shall apply the required expertise, for practical utilisation, and professional ethics while using scientific methods of statistical work.

Furthermore it is said in Article 3, point 2:

Office, ministries or State agencies shall be independent and impartial in their collecting, processing or evaluating statistical information, exerting cost efficiency and maintaining the trust of the general public and shall be guided by principles of reliability, objectivity, transparency, openness and protection of confidential data.

The commitment to follow UN Fundamental Principles, as well as the commitment to the Code of practice presently under implementation for statistical agencies within the European Union, also provides a strong basis both for quality awareness and adherence to professional ethics.

3.1.5. Adequacy of data dissemination strategy and procedures: room for improvements

The unit for comprehensive analysis within SO SR comprises 14 persons, and has i.a. the responsibility for the development of a dissemination strategy, to handle requests from different national users, to prepare selected documents for press conferences, to keep an overview of international deliveries, to compile comprehensive statistical publications (e.g. Economic Monitor, SO SR Bulletin, Statistical report on basic development trends) and a publication overview and a release calendar.

As described later in point 3.4.1 the strategy focuses on the use of Internet as the main channel, free-of-charge dissemination and improved communication with users.

In general the strategy seems to follow good practice within the SO SR. One issue that might deserve attention is the practise in exceptional cases to send press releases under embargo in advance to selected members of government.

1 E.g. Act No. 195/2000 Coll. on Telecommunications under the Act No. 308/2000 Coll.

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There is a need to develop more detailed and technical guidelines for presentation and publishing within the SO SR, and also to improve coordination with other agencies producing official statistics concerning guidelines and best practise.

It is not well documented to what extent other agencies follow the same basic principles concerning dissemination.

Thus it seems necessary to strengthen the dissemination function, possibly to centralize some of the publication process and to establish guidelines and training, also including other partners of the statistical system.

One major issue is the fragmentation of the dissemination of statistical information with numerous publications also from other partners of the statistical system, and no common profile of the web solutions for the dissemination of statistics and no integration between different web sites.

Not all users are happy with the service level of the SO SR and procedures for handling requests need to be streamlined.

3.1.6. Too little resources to meet new challenges

The number of persons working in the field of statistics is possibly sufficient, including both the resources within the SO SR and the other actors producing statistics, provided that new tools and methods for data collection, processing and dissemination are implemented.

There are however problems to adapt to new requirements, mainly coming from the EU, partly due to structural problems with the present regional organization of the SO SR as well the decentralized structure of some areas of statistics (health, education, agriculture, for instance). Thus, financial resources are for the moment too small, both for increasing the wage level and for investing in the necessary development projects to increase efficiency and meet new requirements.

As the wage level is too low due to limited financial resources, there are major problems related to recruiting and keeping well-qualified staff. This is already a critical problem in some areas, and the situation can deteriorate if no actions are taken. This can influence in a negative way the quality of some key statistical products such as national accounts and price statistics.

The technical infrastructure appears to be well functioning and is providing good support for the activities. However, there is a strong need for renewing major parts of the technical infrastructure as well as to improve and modernize the software.

3.1.7. Human resource management: little incentives

The main problem in these areas appears to be high turn over for some young specialists, especially in IT and NA, due to relatively low wage level. There is no common and fixed scale for public functionaries. Apparently part of the wage is fixed, but then there is an addition, which is dependent on the decision of the separate administrations within available budgets. The relatively low wages are the barrier for retaining qualified personnel in general.

Improved human resource management will be critical in order to maintain the present level and even develop the statistical product. Thus improved motivation, including better wage conditions, will be instrumental to ensure proper recruitment and counteract to large turnover in some critical areas.There is in general a need to improve training, both within the SO SR, of the partners within the statistical system and of users of statistical information.

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Work planning has to be improved to ensure the proper usage of resources and to monitor efficiency improvements.

As a state organization the SO SR has to follow state rules for accounting and budgeting. One major problem is for the moment the limitations in the ability to utilise income from external projects.

3.2. Main statistical areas and operations All three main areas – national accounts and prices, business statistics, social and demographic statistics seem to lack capacity for final compilation analysis of results, and lack of well-qualified experts due to low wage level. Communication with clients is another weak area – although good on formal level, its fails to achieve improved quality and dissemination of the data produced, as well as methodological clarification.

3.2.1. Type and purpose

Section on national accounts and prices

In general, EU requirements in the field of national accounts, prices and foreign trade/Intrastat are being met at an acceptable level, even if there are several challenges ahead concerning the new ESA transmission plan and improved quality of the harmonized consumer price indices.

The major challenges are the lack of capacity for final compilation analysis of results, and lack of well-qualified experts due to low wage level. New experts are staying too short time before leaving for other jobs. This can lead to a critical situation for the compilation of high quality national accounts as also some of the best experts are reaching retirement age. The compilation of NA is now fully dependent on the supply of 6 persons from Infostat.

Two measures are proposed to remedy this serious situation:

To put in place a program for the training of subject matter statisticians in order to improve the understanding of the needs of NA and to develop more ready made input to the NA from their side. This will free resources within the section for more qualified work. However, the section has difficulties with the present resource situation also to implement this training.

To increase the overall wage level in order to be able to keep qualified experts. This will require a policy decision a top management level and could mean a reduction of the total number of staff if this was not compensated by budget increase.

The section is cooperating with Infostat that has some microeconomic expertise as well as is doing work on micro-economic models. Infostat can also make commissioned work for different ministries, for instance the Institute of Financial Policies under the Ministry of Finance, but is to some extent competing in this market. The methodological competences of Infostat are fundamental for the running of the section of National accounts and prices, and the issue was raised whether a change in the organisational relationship with Infostat could even improve this effect. This might be an issue for further reflection. For the moment there is no strategy for the exchange of staff between Infostat and the rest of SO SR, which can also be difficult due to different wage conditions.

The somewhat vulnerable situation related to human resources for compiling national accounts deserves attention, and will have to be further elaborated within the framework of the SMP. A part of this issue will be to discuss the relationship to macroeconomic modelling and forecasting and how to improve usage of these data in national planning and policy development.

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There are still some inconsistencies between government accounts and national accounts concerning data on government consumption. Some important improvements have been made in recent years, but there are still some outstanding problems related to accrual recording of taxes and social contributions, consolidation of figures and access to individual data for general government units.

The Financial Policy institute has pointed out some shortcomings and requirements that will have to be analysed and taken into account, partly in the annual planning process and partly as specific actions within the SMP framework.

These requirements are related to:- Improved data on indebtedness of households/individuals within the framework of household accounts.- Quarterly sector accounts of households- More consistent and consolidated time series of revenues and expenditures- In general improved quality of national accounts and more transparency in the revision process- Data on housing prices

Some of these requirements will need increased staffing and competences in this area, and some are dependent on improved data from external sources. The issues of housing prices is being addressed in a specific grant project funded by Eurostat.

Section for business statistics

Two main challenges are being underlined:- The financial limitations- Lack of manpower capacity

These problems date back to the establishment of the SO SR in 1993. Before that time all methodological competences had been located in Prague. Thus the methodological capacity had to be developed and at the same time one had to start transforming the whole statistical system in the direction of European requirements. Thus the focus had been much on solving daily problems and less on structural and methodological issues in a long time perspective.

The section has had the responsibility for implementing a major part of the European legal acts, and in general the situation is now under control. However, the situation is vulnerable, as relatively few persons need to cover a relatively broad area. It is also difficult to motivate new staff for staying enough time to build up additional competences, due to relative low wage level and heavy workload. Due to the heavy workload there is little time to analyse the figures, which would have made the job more attractive for competent young people.

If no additional resources will be available, for instance to meet new EU requirements, one possibility in future will be to rationalise some data collection, for instance by using new technology. However, it appears to be difficult to move staff between the different regional locations, and especially from regional locations to the Headquarter, due to traditions and formal limitations. If this is the case, the main option will be to redistribute tasks between the different locations. So far, all methodological competences are located within the Headquarter even if most practical operations are handled from the regional offices.

Apparently the main pressure in future will be on the headquarter to take on new methodological tasks and to improve analytical capacity and dissemination. Given the explicit and implicit framework restrictions, the only option appears to be to decentralise the total responsibility for some specific subject areas to one or more regional office. This will require transfer of competences and development of local skills, including language skills, in order to be able to communicate with European partners. One benefit from this can be that some skilled people might be more stable and willing to accept the wage level of the public administration (apparently there is no fixed wage level independent of regional location within state administration).

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The situation in some areas is the following;

- In the field of short term statistics Slovakia has been ranked among the best group, but there are now some challenges in relation to new variables

- Within structural business statistics there are still some problems to get access to data on micro level from VAT and Tax systems. Common ID numbers are being used, making matching possible. There are in general problems with response from one-person enterprises, and some efforts to motivate respondents might be taken.

- The Farm Structure Survey is a large operation requiring a lot of follow up via the regional offices that have to be trained especially for this survey.

The legal obligations within transport and tourism statistics are basically being met. There is work under way on satellite accounts in the field of tourism.

Section on social and demographic statistics

Some of the important projects performed within this section are:

EU-SILC (Survey on Income and Living Conditions)

At the SO SR the sample survey EU-SILC has been realised in compliance with Eurostat requirements. Requirements on content of the survey, number of households selected for the survey, method of household selection, form and structure of required data files, requirements on quality report, comparable methodology of surveyed variables, as well as the date of processing and providing the files with microdata have been fully accepted.

The survey is carried out by a team of experts having experience in performing similar surveys both at the SO SR and the regional offices. The external interviewers of households have completed a professional training on the content of the survey and on the way of communication with households.

The content of the survey has been consulted with experts from the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR (MLSAF), to ensure both international comparability of the surveyed variables and their usability in the SR´s context. The questionnaire has been supplemented with further variables required by the Ministry (special module for the MLSAF).

The design and the content of EU-SILC survey are in line with the requirements of Eurostat and external users (MLSAF). After approval they will also be disseminated to external users, including microdata, in line with the rules for their provision in SO SR´s conditions. The response rate is 85,6 %, the exact value will be calculated in the quality report, compiled according to Eurostat requirements.

Data files from EU-SILC 2005 and structural indicators based on the cross-sectional component of EU-SILC were sent to Eurostat on 10 April 2006. For the moment Eurostat is carrying out data validation.

The SO SR has presented preliminary figures from EU-SILC 2005, and presentation is available on the web site of the SO SR.

Data from EU-SILC will represent a new and comparable source for the study of the social situation in Slovakia, and several efforts will be made to disseminate the results and ensure widespread use.

Use of information from Tax system was discussed as a basis for getting additional information on income conditions, also at regional level. The SO SR has now got access to information from the Tax

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Directorate, but one major problem is that only data for about 600000 persons are on individual level. The rest are summary records for the employees for whom the employers have provided the tax declarations.

The household budget survey

The data quality of household budget statistics has increased. The new, adjusted system of household budget statistics complies with international standards. The SO SR has introduced stratified random selection of households participating in the survey with monthly exchange of households. The structure of surveyed data is in line with the structure required by COICOP. The response rate has increased (in 2004 it was 68 %, in 1-3Q and in 2005 appr. 75 %). The results from the HBS are being checked for consistency with data from other sources and shows relatively good consistency. The result of this control is part on a process of quality assessment.

The data are used in defining and adjusting the government’s social policy, as well as for analyses of living standard of households, at research centres and universities. The data are also used in weight calculation for consumer price index, as a basis in construction of final consumption of households within national accounts and in calculation of population’s foodstuff consumption and total expenditures in health sector

Some user want more detailed regional breakdown of data, but this is not possible due to the limitation of the sample size.

One quality issue raised has been the need to improve field supervision. In the case of the HBS there is one responsible person within every regional office who manages the fieldwork, and supervises the fieldwork and the production of initial records.

One user requirement mentioned in relation to the HBS and other social survey is the possibility for breakdown according to ethnic groups. For methodological reasons it will normally be difficult to provide breakdown for small groups (or regions) from samples surveys such as the HBS. It is also both a political and methodological problem to ask questions about ethnicity that will require further investigation and clarification.

Labour Force Survey(LFS)

The LFS is running well and adapted to European requirements and the survey results are broadly utilised. The main users of the data are Eurostat, OECD, ILO, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance of the SR.

The sample file contains 10,250 households – 0.6 % of the total number of permanently occupied dwellings. For weighting the method of post-stratification by region, sex and age category is used. In 2Q 2005 the response rate was 94.1 %. The data in the field are collected by employees of regional offices (branch offices), who are regularly trained.

Wage and earnings statistics

The area of wage and earnings statistics is well developed, having clear user requirements. Regulations on earnings and labour costs are complied with.

Much of the data are collected by a private company (Trexima) that is specialized in statistical surveys of earnings and labour costs, occupational classification and some other issues related to functioning of the labour market. In the field of earnings and labour costs it operates based on contract with the Statistical Office and under the conditions of the statistical law. The company has been active to make use of new technology for data collection and data processing, and apparently uses telephone interviewing and some

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electronic reporting. The company maintained that the data collected was in good compliance with European requirements and at a high quality level (over 90 per cent response rate), while Ministry of Labor and the World Bank complained that the sample was biased towards very large and continuing enterprises. The company disseminates data to different ministries and to the Statistical Office, free of charge, as this apparently was covered by framework contracts with different public partners.

It was confirmed that the Statistical Office controls the output and ensures that there is good coordination between different surveys. Databases with micro-data from the above mentioned surveys are maintained by Trexima under strict data security conditions defined and controlled by the SO SR. Trexima provides data in defined formats and structure to the SO SR, who analyses them and after validation further disseminates them to all users including the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the SR as one of the state administration authorities.

Demographic statistics

The Statistical Office has a parallel collection of demographic events with the Ministry of the interior, and thus also double registration is made. The population file at the Ministry of the Interior has had some quality problems, but this is now improving. So far there have been restrictions concerning the usage of the demographic file including identification number for statistical purposes, but some legal reform is under way that might solve this problem and provide a common basis also for demographic statistics and reducing double work. A verified population figure is important for local communities as a basis for transfer of funds from the government.

One ambition is to be able to use the population register in connection with the next census.There is regular production of statistics on demographic events, births, deaths, migrations etc., based on data collection from different reporting units; municipal and town authorities, health institutions, competent courts, district police directorates and departments of Border and Alien’s Police.

Health statistics

Much of the health statistics are collected by the Institute of health information system within Ministry of health. Eurostat is developing the idea of a health survey and methodological issues are being discussed. Work was underway on system of health accounts and system of education accounts in cooperation with Infostat.

Education statistics

Statistics on formal education are collected by Institute of Information and Prognosis of education. The new surveys on continued vocational training and adult education based on EU regulation will have to be performed next year.

In general, the section on social and demographic statistics considered a challenge to improve communication with users in order to provide better explanations of the results of the different surveys. Its experts maintained that lack of communication was possibly the explanation why World Bank report ‘The quest for equitable growth in the Slovak Republic’ provided some descriptions of problems with existing data sources that were in their opinion incorrect.2

One issue is also to what extent experts from the SO SR will be in the position to provide more in the direction of analysis of the wealth of data coming from the surveys in this field. Traditionally, there has been an attitude to present the ‘pure’ figures and not get involved too much in analysis, which is supposed to be made be research institutes or ministries. However, if the capacity of statistical analysis and deep

2 See Building Capacity for Systematic Monitoring of Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Slovak Republic, World Bank, 2005, and Carraro, Ludovico (2006), Calculation and use of an absolute poverty line. Ministry of Labor, mimeo.

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knowledge about the possibilities is limited outside the SO SR, it might be an option to invest more in some basic analysis, which might also motivate the staff and improve the whole quality of data.

The section has also a major challenge as new requirements and surveys are expected to be done, with little or few additional resources available. The present workload was considered to be very high in parts of the section. Co-financing from national partners was not seen as a clear option in the short run, even if there is now an example in the case of EU-SILC.

It was not considered that the lack of experts in statistical methodology was a critical problem for the moment. The major problem was enough resources for the actual production of the different surveys. It was considered that the implementation of the surveys through the regional organisation for the moment functioned well, and there were no immediate ideas on how to improve the organisation.

It was pointed out that there is a need to amend the statistical law in order to strengthen the position of the Statistical Office in order to be able to influence the development of administrative sources to take care also of statistical requirements. In general it would be important to ensure that all administrative authorities should consult with the Statistical Office when initiating or changing surveys in order to avoid redundant data collection and ensure proper use of classifications etc.

It was underlined that frequent reforms of organisation of public institutions also at regional level and caused many problems in relation to maintaining systems and solutions for collection of statistical information in several sectors (education, health, social services…). Unfortunately, the decision makers never compensated for the extra costs for such changes.

The Population and Housing Census

The population and housing census is an important instrument for collecting social statistics, not least for small groups and regions.

The last Census in the Slovak Republic was held in May 2001 according to the Act of 2001 on Population and Housing Census. The content of the Census was designed according to international recommendations. It covers selected demographic, social and cultural characteristics of the population as well as selected data on dwellings and houses and on household equipment. The method used was self-enumeration.

Thus the Census provides data on demographic variables such as age and sex broken down to small area level. Furthermore the Census gives information on the economic activity, nationality and religion, highest achieved degree of education, as well as dwelling conditions. However, the Census does not provide data on income that would have been useful in the context of analysing income distribution and social exclusion.

The main data from the Census are accessible on the SO SR website, both as tables and as maps.

The Census has been very important to update and improve the sampling frame for different sample surveys.

The next census round will be around 2010, and there will probably be a Regulation by the EU that will give the basis and the direction for this census operation. The proposed project to develop a more systematic address and population registration will provide important infrastructure for the next census.

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3.2.2. Methodological soundness (HBS infrastructure and implementation procedures)

As issues related to the quality of household survey forms are important motivations for this master plan, some further explanation of the present performance of two major surveys is provided, household budget survey and the survey on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) in Annex 3.The problem areas that were discussed in the background technical note produced by World Bank experts (Report No 32433-SK) include:

a) Questionnaire design not well developedb)Geographically biased sample design, with unclear coverage of the Roma populationc) Insufficient supervisions of field work and lack of trainingd)Too low response rate, especially HBS (25 %)e) Lack of comparability over time

The experts of the SO SR agree only with lack of comparability over time:

a) Deficiencies in questionnaire compilation Questionnaires used in sample surveys in households satisfies the required parameters valid at the SOSR:

the design of questionnaires is in compliance with extent of the unified statistical form it includes all required information (identification field, information field, content of survey…) the format of the questionnaire is in line with experience from similar surveys in SR´s households the format of the questionnaire fulfils the requirements for further processing (data recording) the content of survey was consulted with users of statistical data (MLSAF SR) the methodological specification is precisely defined and harmonised with the SR legislation

b) Selection method

The method of the households´ selection in the surveys was a standard random stratified selection with precisely defined method of its realisation in the field. The survey is supported by a database containing data from population census. Its correctness is continuously tested by external information sources and age and sex structure of population and is also verified by development forecast of SR´s households.

c) Insufficient activities connected with supervision of fieldwork and lack of training

The work of interviewers is coordinated and regularly supervised at regional administrations and by random selection by experts of the SOSR, too.Interviewers performing a survey in households:

are mostly permanent employees of the SOSR thoroughly trained in methodological questions concerning the survey, moreover they are kept informed on all adjustments and changes in the survey (HBS)

or they are external workers trained in survey methodology and communication with households. They usually are interviewers who also participate in other surveys (Microcensus)

d) Too low response rate, especially HBS (25 %)

The figure 25 % is incorrect. The information may have resulted from misunderstanding of the WB expert, or by incorrect interpretation. The incorrectness of the information was pointed out to the WB expert after receiving the report for comments. In 2004 the response rate in household budget statistics was 68 % and in 1-3Q 2005 it was appr. 75 %. In Microcensus 2003 the response rate was 72,6 %. Such response rate in sample surveys on no account can be considered as too low.

The way of realisation and the content of EU SILC survey are in line with the requirements of Eurostat and external users (MLSAF). In April 2006 the data files in requested format will be provided to Eurostat for approval. After approval they will also be provided to further external users including microdata, in

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line with the rules for their provision in SO SR´s conditions. The expected (preliminary) response rate is appr. 80 %, the exact value will be calculated in the quality report, compiled according to Eurostat requirements.

e) Lack of comparability over time

We agree with lack of comparability in case of survey on households´ income - Microcensus. Considering the permanent development in the field of incomes in SR it is true that the surveys realised in years 1996 and 2003 are not comparable despite use of the same methodology.

Some further evaluation of the different surveys:

This part is to a large extent built on reports to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs:Carrero, L. (2006): “Calculation and use of an absolute poverty line” Report for the MOLSAF, January 2006. Oxford Policy Management. and Carrero, L. (2005): “An assessment of currently available data for welfare analysis” Report for the MOLSAF, October 2006. Oxford Policy Management, supplemented by information from the SR.

The Microcensus:

The Microcensus was until recently the main source of data for poverty measurement. However, the main problem with the Microcensus is that it collects information on income with a long recall period: the survey conducted in April 2003 collected data on incomes in 2002. It is generally considered that long recall periods has the effect of under or overestimating income levels due to memory failures, and thus also can lead to overestimation of income inequality. Furthermore, the results of the 2003 Microcensus cannot easily be compared with those from earlier periods due to changes in the questionnaire, and the interval between the surveys also makes it insufficient for monitoring poverty trends.

The methodological approach of the Microcensus was also targeted at making average estimation for subgroups and thus less valid for analysing differences. The conclusion in the report mentioned (Carrero, 2006) was therefore that information form the Microcensus definitely is insufficient for the purpose of poverty monitoring and analysis.

The Microscensus is discontinued and is being replaced by the EU-SILC.

The Household Budget Survey:

The Household Budget Survey 2004 is a much more representative survey than previous HBS surveys both due to improved sample selection and increased size of the sample, from 1650 to 4600 households. Although the new sample design cannot yet be called a random sample, the selection of the sample is now more representative since it covers more comprehensively people in the whole country and does not exclude certain categories of households, namely households headed by unemployed people. The new sample design is still a quota sample with the first quota being eight administrative regions and the second the size of localities where people live. Households within localities are selected by systematic sampling.

The main problem with the current sample design is the fact that localities are selected not randomly but based on some unclear criteria, leading to a potential bias. Due to the design, it is not possible to use statistical inference the precision of estimates.

The 2004 HBS also had a relatively high non-response rate: 33% before substitution and 31% after substitution. Among non-respondent households about 80% were refusals to participate in the survey. If survey non-compliance is correlated to the phenomenon that we want to investigate (income), non-response clearly generates a bias and makes the sample less representative.

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It is also pointed out that the questionnaire design in 2004 has some limitations in the way the key aggregates of consumption and income are collected.

Thus in general it is considered that the HBS 2004 provides more representative data of the conditions of the country than earlier surveys, and is the only source on data on consumption. These data are fundamental in the estimation of an absolute poverty line. However, there are still areas that need further improvement: sampling design, treatment of non-response, field procedures and questionnaire design.

The Survey of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC)

It is pointed out that this survey might have some of the same problems as the Microcensus since it uses a long recall period: people interviewed in May/June 2005 are asked to report about income of the calendar year 2004. On the other hand the questionnaire contains detailed income information that make it possible to compute the population income distribution, and also information that can be used to assess also non-income poverty dimensions, subjective dimensions of poverty, as well as the construction of deprivation indexes and other aspects of social exclusion.

Summing up:

The Household Budget Survey since 2004 has got improved quality and is especially an important source for assessing consumption. There are still some limitations using this source for income distribution and poverty line analysis.

The EU SILC survey provides more detailed income information that can be used for analysing income distribution. Even if the recall period is relatively long, the respondents will have to fill out tax information at same time and thus normally have a good overview. The income data are compared with figures on wage statistics, showing good compliance. The response rate is around 80 per cent and thus also at an acceptable level.

Some social surveys (Micocensus and Household budget surveys before 2004) have suffered from serious deficiencies that have caused major problems when analysing living standards, poverty and social inclusion, and especially changes across time. Even if considerable progress has been made with the re-design of the HBS from 2004 and the introduction of the EU-SILC from 2005, several actions should still be envisaged:

Improved sample design Improved questionnaire design Improved field work organisation including training and supervision Improved handling and analysis of non-response Improved data processing methods Improved analysis and consistency checking of results Improved user contact and dissemination of results

Not least it is also important for the SO RS to provide good documentation of the data and to keep close contact with users to ensure proper understanding and usage of the results.

3.3. Main statistical productsThe Statistical Office focuses at internet as the main media of dissemination, and its web-based free of charge Slovstat database and paid ELIOP have been well received by the clients. Centralization of publication activities would generate some efficiency gains. The SO SR understands that accessibility to statistical information in general, and especially for individual-level data, needs to be improved. This could be achieved hand in hand with improving the capacity of data users, including at line ministries.

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Overall, SO SR can built upon its strengths that were well recognized by Eurostat evaluation in 2001 (although some weak points may still be valid, for instance to centralise more statistical surveys and to improve communication with business sector data providers), and IMF ROSC.

3.3.1. Dissemination and release policy

The dissemination strategy now focuses on using Internet as a main dissemination channel, to implement free-of-charge dissemination and to improve communication with users. Some CD-Roms are produced for the Yearbook, and for major surveys such as the Population Census and Foreign trade. Publications for the last ten years are available for download as Word or Excel files from a paid service provided by Infostat (ELIOP). The regional offices produce their own publications for their respective regions. In 2005 there are 92 publications produced by the Headquarter and 83 publications produced by the regional offices.

Monitoring the usage of Internet is being improved, and some more information on this will be supplied. One issue is to what extent different users have access to the Internet, and some information on this will also be provided (data from the 4Q 2004 survey).

The whole process of producing publications is decentralized. Thus there is no common profile even if there are some guidelines for the design of front pages according to series etc. One issue to address is thus the possible efficiency and quality gains by a central unit for the final handling of publications. At the same time an evaluation of the publication programme, which is under way, should be intensified in order to reduce the number of publications, and thus also freeing resources.

The SO SR has no general advisory role when it comes to the publications prepared by other agencies, concerning good practice for presentation of tables, graphs etc. However, some training both for internal and external producers might be an idea as the quality standards for the moment differ.

The formulation of press releases is the responsibility of the subject matter specialists and in certain statistical domains of the sections. A press secretary reviews the text and may comment. Some more targeted training by involving journalist, for the writing of press releases could be an option.

In exceptional cases some press releases under embargo might be sent e.g. to selected members of government, a couple of hours before release (this in line with IMF Standards). It should be assessed whether this is in line with the Code of practice now being implemented at European level.

A call-centre is under evaluation in order to improve the handling of external requests.

The development of the Slovstat database had been well received by the users.

The customers / users portfolioThe SO SR and the NSS as a whole provide statistical data and information as well as the related services to the following main customer and users groups:

Legislative and Executive bodies: president of the republic, national council, government, ministries and other central state administration bodies

Local state administration bodies and territorial self-government bodies: regional and district offices, regional and district offices of specialized state administration, offices of self-governing territorial units, town, local and municipal offices

World, international and inter-governmental organizations: Eurostat, UN, International Monetary Fund, OECD, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, WTO, World Bank and others, foreign embassies in the SR, Slovak embassies abroad

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Science and research: scientific and research institutions, universities and colleges, technical libraries

Public Service Institutions: Social Insurance Agency, Slovak Radio, Slovak Television, General Health Insurance Company, Labour, Social Affairs and Family Office

Financial Institutions: National Bank of Slovakia, commercial banks, insurance companies, non banking financial institutions, pension institutions managing pension funds

Enterprises, associations, trade unions: Business sphere, Federation of Employers‘ Associations of the SR and individual employers‘ associations, Confederation of Trade Unions of the SR and individual trade unions

General Public: Media (electronically, printing), organizations of social character (foundations, cultural and interest associations, miscellaneous associations), students of all school types, religious institutions, political parties and movements, public libraries, the rest public

Maintaining public relations

To achieve a wide publicity among users of statistical information, the SO SR continuously strives to improve the methods and means of communication with different user groups, incl. the public at large. In compliance with the SO SR Strategy on external communication with the media the communication activities are focused on:

Establishing good relations with the printed and electronic media, Increasing their awareness of statistical information issues, Increasing the number of media outlets that stimulate interest in SO SR outputs, Maintaining a dialogue with users to promote the image of national statistics and to inform the

public at large about the social and economic development of the country.

Every four months the SO SR develops the Plan and Calendar on external communication. They cover both the image and marketing communication. At the same time the SO SR continuously performs and evaluates the media monitoring. In 2005 the media published 1394 news and articles using or quoting the SO SR data. In the same year 20 public relations activities were performed for journalist, 13 press conferences and 6 meetings with the bank and financial analysts and one business breakfast. The activities focused on the current statistical topics covering different areas - first of all: employment, unemployment, labour market, demographic development, inflation development, GDP and foreign trade.

A user survey is expected to be performed as part of the implementation of the European Code of Practice.

3.3.2. Assessment of practical utility, accuracy and reliability

The supply of statistical information in the social field has for some time not met the quality requirements of users in the line ministries. The situation is improving, but deserves close attention and some specific actions.

There are requirements in the field of economic statistics that need to be followed up.

The accessibility to statistical information in general, and especially for micro-level analysis needs to be improved.

There seems also to be room for improving the capacity of using statistical information in line ministries. This will require several actions; statistical products more adapted to user needs, followed by proper explanations/documentation and improved training of users in accessing and using statistical information.

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3.3.3. Evaluation by international institutions is positive

EUROSTAT:According the last global assessment which dates back to 2001, the following points can be quoted:

1. The following achievements in statistical development are especially impressive:

All major classifications have national versions and they have been implemented in different statistical domains.

Census 2001 was duly designed and executed.

The system for labour market statistics is advanced even compared with some Member States.

Short-term business statistics and quarterly national accounts are extraordinarily well developed in the Slovak Republic. This fast progress indicates the large demand for short-term statistical information that ensued the political and economic changes of the early 1990s.

Revision of the system for business statistics has been a challenging task, which will be accomplished by introducing the concept of local kind-of-activity unit in examinations of statistical phenomena.

Development of science and technology statistics is a good example of the organisation’s capacity to set up of new surveys.

2. The target of full compliance with the methodology of the Acquis Communautaire by the end of 2002 should not be a major problem. The SOSR has both clear plans and the capacity for reaching the target. Special attention has to be directed to developing further the business register, to improving the timeliness of annual national accounts and to starting the INTRASTAT system.

3. In order to improve the quality of the statistical system and to increase the overall capacity of the SOSR the following issues should receive more attention in the future:

Strengthening the strategic planning process within the SOSR to monitor the future statistical needs and to better take into account the possibilities of using administrative registers in statistical systems. It is important that all necessary measures are taken to reduce the response burden of the business sector.

Considering the possibility of centralising more statistical surveys into the SOSR in order to increase the efficiency of the state statistical system.

Defining the quality policy of the SOSR (e.g. setting up of statistical indicators, revision policy, time series policy, documentation guidelines, quality control of statistical processes, etc.).

Increase of liaison and communication with business sector data providers in order to motivate improved response to SOSR questionnaires and promote better exploitation of statistics.

Investigating the possibility of establishing one interview organisation for all data collection from households. The quality of such data largely depends on the competence and professional skills of interviewers and these can best be attained if the same interviewers do the collecting of data for different household surveys.

Since 2001 there has been major progress both in Eurostat requirements and in the follow up of these requirements. Apparently, there is relatively good compliance in most areas, but this is a moving target that needs to be followed up on a continuous basis.

There are some points that may still be valid from the Eurostat global assessment, for instance to centralise more statistical surveys and to improve communication with business sector data providers.

IMF/SDDS,

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As mentioned in point 1.2. the Slovak Republic has subscribed to the SDDS since 1996 and observes or exceeds all of the prescriptions of these standards. The IMF ROSC report also in general observes relatively good compliance with good practises for integrity, methodological soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability and accessibility, even if it raises some point that need follow up, and are commented on by the Slovak authorities.

4. Outline of strategic development plan

4.1. Long-term vision: respected coordinator of national statistical systemThe vision is related to the SO SR as the key institution of the Slovak statistical system:

The SO SR is an independent, customer-oriented, information and knowledge institution.

The SO SR is a co-ordinator of the NSS, an important creator of the official statistics and co-creator of ESS acknowledged at national and international level.

The SO SR achieves this position by developing and using knowledge of its staff and co-operating organizations, as well as by intense use of the latest scientific achievements and modern ICT.

4.2. Strategic goal: good data for clientsThe following strategic goals for the SO SR has been elaborated:

To reassess and implement the Statistical activity programme – in such a way that it officially incorporates the EU Statistical Programme 2003-07. In this way – create a solid basis for further harmonisation with the EU Statistical Programme that will be created for the period after 2007.

To improve quality of the statistical products (implement the QMS according to ISO 9001, incorporate LEG recommendations and elements of CAF – Common Assessment framework required in the SR public administration)

To optimise the statistical products portfolio, shift towards more value-added products

To co-ordinate and optimise the creation of the National stat. Surveys programme (stress on the effectiveness)

To develop an active partnership with respondents (and other suppliers) and customers (and other important stakeholders)

4.3. Proposed sequencingThe proposed actions are of different complexity and resource implications. One critical resource will be the planning and implementation capacity of the SO SR. Some actions can be performed within the SO SR using existing resources, and within a relatively short time table, and they can still contribute substantially to improvements. Other actions will require a larger project organization involving several partners and require extra funding support. Such actions need longer planning and clarification of necessary funding. In the overview of actions (table xx) the resource requirements, timing and priority is indicated.

It is necessary to ensure a continuous process of coordination, evaluation and reorientation in order not to overstretch existing capacities and make the best possible use of internal and external resources.

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Important intermediate targets and triggers will be:

A new programme for human resource management within SO SR introduced Improved and joint dissemination channels for statistical information put in place Improved dialogue with key users in the field of social statistics, and implemented improved

dissemination of statistics in this area Improved training of users in place The statistical law amended A project of data collection from local authorities initiated

4.4. Risks and assumptionsSome critical risks are:

If the SO SR is not able to improve it’s external profile as an organisation providing relevant and high quality information for decision making, this might influence the financial basis and future of the whole statistical system.

If national political and financial support is not provided this will seriously hamper the process of quality improvements, integration of the system and improving efficiency of the statistical system.

Some actions require close cooperation with external partners. Thus, if this cooperation is not achieved and good project organisation is not put in place, projects will not be initiated and provide results.

If the SO SR is not able to recruit and keep well-qualified staff this will have a serious negative effect on the future quality of the national statistics of the Slovak Republic.

Some basic assumptions are:

The absorption capacity of the statistical office is assumed to be relatively high, especially as there is a strong core with high competences covering most statistical areas and there is an openness and willingness to introduce changes and improvements. One challenge is the relatively high turnover in some areas, and the lack of experts with long-time experience. The human resource program, including wage improvement and training will thus be of major importance in order to achieve the overall targets.

There are also some human and financial resources available for statistical work within some of the main partners of the statistical system, and some joint projects, as proposed in this plan, will help to improve the overall competences in statistics and increase the efficiency of the whole system.

5. Time-bound implementation programIt should be underlined that this program only covers actions that so far are not included as normal activities in the annual program. It is a continuous process to assess to what extent actions can be included in the normal program, and thus this list can be amended during the last phase of the project.

In the following text, to make it easier to read, all issues under Improving management and human resources are marked as a) to b); under Investing in social infrastructure as c) to f); under Statistical operations as g) to h); and under Investment in equipment or physical infrastructure as i) to q).

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5.1. Improving management and human resources

5.1.1. Actions and timeframe

a) To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR by:

a.1. Introducing improved program for human resource management including the motivation system (financial and non financial motivation), increased flexibility and a training program to adapt to new challenges.

a.2. Reviewing the division of labour between the different branches of the SO SR, for instance by concentrating the whole responsibility for specific surveys and subject areas to one location within a network organisation. A certain simplification of the regional structure should also be considered. Some information on the specialisation of the offices and staffing is provided point 2.1.1. of this report.

a.3. Introducing into annual programming and follow up - in addition to existing costs related indicators - other performance indicators (e.g. time use budgeting and other) to different surveys.

a.4. Reviewing how methodological and analytical capacity of the whole organisation can be improved, including the resources available within Infostat.

b) To extend the program for training in the field of key statistics (national accounts and macroeconomic statistics, social statistics, business statistics) with an aim to:

b.1. Improve knowledge of the requirements of the key statistics (national accounts and other) among producers of primary statistics and making them capable of delivering products adapted to key statistics needs.

b.2. Improve knowledge among users about the key statistics (national accounts and macroeconomic statistics and other) in cooperation with important partners such as Infostat, in order to improve qualified understanding and usage of these data in national planning and policy making.

b.3. Improve knowledge among both users and producers about the social statistics on the regional level.

5.1.2. Proposed outputs with targets

a) To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR:

a.1. Guideline on financial and non-financial motivation of employees. Revised key positions of employees in national accounts, macroeconomic, economic and social statistics

a.2. Revised activities of headquarters and revised specialisation of regional offices.

a.3. Extended set of cost- related indicators and other performance indicators included into annual budget programming.

a.4. Improved methodological and analytical capacity of the SO SR (including capacity of Infostat)

b) To extend the program for training in the field of key statistics (national accounts and macroeconomic statistics, social statistics, business statistics):

b.1. Annual training plans based on the current training conception of the SO SR.

b.2. Regular and more detailed information on the latest key statistical outputs and products extended to key user groups

b.3. Regular and more detailed information on the latest outcomes from social statistics including regional breakdowns

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5.1.3. Benefits and outcomes

a) To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR:

a.1. Stabilisation and career advancement of employees in key positions in crucial statistics

a.2. Improved efficiency and quality of processing, strengthening of capacities in customer orientation

a.3. More efficient use of budgetary and non-budgetary financial resources

a.4. Improved capacity of methodological and analytical activities and more active engagement in international cooperation

b) To extend the program for training in the field of key statistics (national accounts and macroeconomic statistics, social statistics, business statistics):

b.1. Improved quality of statistical products and their value added for customers (internal and external)

b.2. Improved quality of the latest key statistical output and product usage by key user groups

b.3. Improved quality of use of available information from social statistics by regional institutions in regional policymaking particularly in the field of poverty and social exclusion

5.2. Investing in statistical infrastructure

5.2.1. Actions and timeframe

c) To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys by:

c.1. Reviewing the scope of the different surveys in order to ensure that proper legislation is developed for surveys that primarily have an administrative purpose and thus should not be based on statistical legislation.

c.2. Improving the legal basis for coordination and efficiency of the statistical system by amending the statistical law to provide necessary influence on the development of administrative sources as well as access to these sources on micro-level.

d) To review the division of labour within the whole statistical system in order to:

d.1 Identify areas where joint data collection solutions shall be developed for reducing response burden and improving the use of new technology (see proposed technical project in point 5.1.1)

d.2 Improve the efficiency and quality of processes for data editing and documentation

d.3 Improve the coordination and quality of dissemination of statistical output.

e) To improve dissemination and services to users, by:

e.1. Developing better access to data prepared for micro-analysis, especially from the LFS and the EU-SILC,

e.2. Developing products focussing on analysis and presentation of data targeting specific user groups,

e.3. To equip workplaces providing information services with adequate application software for user segmentation

e.3.1 To carry out an analysis of existing requests by groups of users

e.3.2 To carry out a survey on prospective needs by groups of users, further biannually

e.3.3 To adjust the marketing plan (Catalogue of Publications and further parts of the plan)

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e.4. Providing more training on accessing and using statistics, especially for users within public administration,

e.4.1 To carry out a survey on training needs in the field of statistics among key users

e.4.2 Based on the survey results determination of fields and forms and methods of training

e.5. Strengthening the dissemination function within the SO SR to ensure improved quality of presentations in publications, press releases and other media,

e.5.1 To centralise technologies related to final product preparation and uniform application of modern technical–technological facilities for presentation of statistical information

e.5.2 To produce products with higher value added (analyses, graphs, charts)

e.5.3 To make better use of the potentials of web technologies for disseminating statistical data (design and content of web page )

e.5.4. To establish a call centre of the SO SR

e.6. Developing a common statistical portal, with common presentation standards and improved presentation (graphics, maps),

e.6.1 Survey the portfolio of statistical products at key ministries forming the NSS

e.6.2 Harmonisation of catalogues of publications (and further plans related to statistical products) of ministries (content and extend)

e.6.3 To design presentation standards for products of the NSS (design, structure, tables)

f) To increase the usage of data from administrative sources and participate in improving their quality

f.1. To reassess statistical surveys in order to decrease respondent burden.

f.2. To cooperate with governors of administrative data sources in harmonisation of their content and to sectors recommend legislative changes related to individual institutions and data maintained by them.

5.2.2. Proposed outputs with targets

c) To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys:

c.1.3. Updated list of statistical surveys organised by ministries and state authorities exclusively for purposes of official statistics.

c.1.4. Updated list of statistical surveys organised by ministries and state authorities for purposes other than official statistics.

c.1.5. Amendment to the statistical law, that strengthens the SO SR‘s competencies influencing and getting access to administrative sources.

d) To review the division of labour within the whole statistical system:

d.1.1 To have identified areas where joint surveys of NSI and related ministries on the basis of common questionnaires can be developed in order to provide input both to administrative and statistical purposes

d.1.2 Joint classifications and nomenclatures, joint definitions of statistical units, and use of common registers

d.2.1 Common standards in processes: methodology and data processing

d.2.2 Unified criteria of quality in statistics and common methods of quality self-assessment

d.3.1 To have developed common data structures within the NSS

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d.3.2 Made statistics accessible to users via a common portal

e) To improve dissemination and services to users:

e.1.1 Standardized system of anonymization of microdata from LFS, EU-SILC and their provision to authorized pursuant to provisions of the statistical law

e.1.2 Training courses, seminars, and consultancies focused on correct handling of microdata

e.2.1 Database of users aiming at identification of main groups

e.2.2 Overview of requests of each user groups and their priorities

e.2.3 Office’s product portfolio meeting needs of different user groups

e.3.1 Training plan/conception for users of statistics

e.3.2 Training plan by user structure

e.4.1 Common centre for final statistical product preparation

e.4.2 Established call centre

e.5.1 User access to public database via the SO SR portal

e.5.2 User oriented products with higher value added

f) To increase the usage of data from administrative sources and participate in improving their quality

f.1. A developed application system for the transmission of data from administrative sources

f.2. Data in administrative sources harmonized for statistical purposes

f.3. Amendment of statistical law and laws of related ministries

5.2.3. Benefits and outcomes

c) To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys

c.1.1 Reduced burden on reporting units,

c.1.2 Increased efficiency of data processing,

c.2.1 Strengthened position of the SO SR as a coordinator of the use of administrative sources for NSS

c.2.2 Reduced fragmentation of the NSS

d) To review the division of labour within the whole statistical system

d.1 Lower number of exhaustive surveys within NSS, higher number of sample surveys, reduced response burden

d.2.1 Lower requirements on capacities needed for standardized data processing procedures,

d.2.2 Comparable quality assessment of different statistics produced within the NSS,

d.3 Better orientation of public in product portfolio of the NSS

e) To improve dissemination and services to users

e.1.1 Simplified and faster access of applicants to microdata from LFS, HBS and EU-SILC

e.1.2 Better comprehensibility of statistical data to specific user groups

e.2.1 Increased customer’s satisfaction leading to increased credibility of the office and higher appreciation – respect in society

e.2.2 Higher quality decision based on statistical data

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e.3.1 Increased capability of knowledge and using statistics

e.3.2 Increased level of customers‘ knowledge about the whole product portfolio of the office and increased of level of knowledge about key statistics

e.4.1 Customer satisfaction and increase of their confidence in statistical products

e.4.2 Simpler and faster access to statistical information

e.4.3 Improved quality and form of statistical products

e.5.1 Simpler and faster access to statistical products within the whole NSS

e.5.2 Higher quality and electronic providing of statistical products

f) To increase the usage of data from administrative sources and participate in improving their quality

f.1.1 More efficient transmission of administrative data for the needs of NSS and gradual reducing of burden of reporting units

f.1.2 Increased usage of administrative data as a basis for statistics within the NSS and consequently decreasing costs for collecting statistical data

f.1.3 Better mutual cooperation between key producers of official statistics on one hand and between producers and users on the other hand

5.3. Statistical operations

5.3.1. Actions and timeframe

g) To develop a program for the supply and analysis of statistical information in the social area, in cooperation with the main partners, and especially:

g.1 To ensure high quality of the EU-SILC data at present in processing and a customer oriented utilisation plan.

a.2 To assess, together with main partners, whether supplementary ad-hoc surveys will be necessary to provide better understanding of the situation of specific groups of the population in order to assess the needs for public action.

a.3 To enlarge existing and establish new social statistics surveys

h) To develop integrating frameworks and satellite accounts for selected statistic areas

h.1 Develop satellite accounts in tourism. This action has long time been planned but not been initiated due to lack of resources.

h.2 Develop satellite accounts in health. This action will be important in order to comply with the EU regulation on health statistics.

h.3 Develop integrated education statistics/satellite accounts. This action should both support the development of more efficient and complete collection of data in the field of education statistics and to support the development of an accounting framework.

h.4 Develop labour market accounting as an integrating framework for labour market statistics and to get improved understanding of this important area.

h.5 To initiate a project to develop a joint address register and an improved population registration system (to 5.4?). This project will be a fundamental part in preparing the new census and will

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also improve the basis for improved regional information on a regular basis, especially related to demographic information, but also in other areas.

5.3.2. Proposed outputs with targets

g) To develop a program for the supply and analysis of statistical information in the social area, in cooperation with the main partners

g.1 Availability of EU-SILC information in quality required by key customers

g.2 Availability of microdata for regions and specific social groups, analytical outputs for social policy-makers

g.3 Availability of information on Continuing vocational training, Adult education,, Time use according to requirements of national and international users

h) To develop integrating frameworks and satellite accounts for selected statistic areas

h.1 Within two years to have developed a satellite accounts on tourism.

h.2 Within two years to have developed a solution for health accounts that complies with the requirements of the EU regulation on health statistics.

h.3 Within two years to have developed integrated solution for education statistics including an accounting framework.

h.4 Within two years to have developed labour market accounts.

h.5 The initial project lasting one year shall develop necessary specifications and guidelines for putting in place a system of address registration integrated with a multi-purpose population registration system and with other registers utilising address information.

5.3.3. Benefits and outcomes

g) To develop a program for the supply and analysis of information in the social area, in cooperation with the main partners

g.1 Monitoring social changes in the society, particularly in poverty and social exclusion (SILC, LFS) – increasing utility value for key users.

g.2 Monitoring social changes in the society for selected population groups - – increasing utility value for key users.

g.3 Increasing extent of information from social statistics for policy makers.

h) To develop integrating frameworks and satellite accounts for selected statistical areas

h.1 Tourism accounts will give value added to tourism statistics and its interconnection with the system of national accounts.

h.2 Health accounts will ensure compliance with EU regulation and give value to health statistics and its interconnection with the system of national accounts.

h.3 Better integration of education statistics will be important for analysing costs and efficiency of the education system and ensure better interconnection with the system of national accounts.

h.4 Such accounts will give value added to relevant statistics and their interconnection with the system of national accounts.

h.5 A well-functioning population registration system including standardised address information forms a key infrastructure also for high-quality demographic statistics and for future census operations, in addition to its benefits for different administrative purposes.

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5.4. Investment in equipment or physical infrastructure

5.4.1.Actions and timeframe

i) To initiate a project involving several partners for developing a joint technical data collection solution from local authorities. The objective of this operation is to study experiences from other countries and to utilise new technology to simplify and standardise reporting from local authorities covering the needs both for administrative and statistical data. This has a strong technological component and can be linked to the e-government initiative. It will gradually include investments in hardware/software as well as training of data providers. The first stage will include a pilot exercise.

j) To develop a detailed programme for improving ICT infrastructure, ensuring improved efficiency and quality of statistical processing.

k) To modify the technologies for collection, transfer and dissemination of statistical information based on web services.

l) To upgrade physical infrastructure (servers, work stations and networks as well as make available standard licensed software products) to meet existing and new requirement.

m) To put in place proper solutions for data protection.

n) To ensure a better compatibility with other information systems, with focus on administrative data sources.

o) To put in place proper solutions for IT Service Management (ITSM).

p) To develop solutions for internal office automation, planning and internal communication.

q) To put in place a training program both for IT specialists and non-IT specialists.

5.4.2. Proposed outputs with targets

i) The first stage, which should be performed within one year, will provide a prototype for a joint data collection from local authorities in order to demonstrate the possibilities and any necessary investments and organisational improvements for a complete implementation.

j)- q) The implementation of these actions will result in:

Statistical products with higher quality, more timely and more accessible

Improved relations with respondents, data providers and users

Improved work flow planning and management

Improved public image of the statistical information system

5.4.3. Benefits and outcomes

i) This project will serve multiple purposes, simplify data collection procedures from local authorities and not least ensure more complete and updated information on social and economic conditions within different parts of Slovakia

The main benefits of the ICT actions will be:

Enhanced timeliness, reliability and consistency of statistical data

Improved services to users

Improved efficiency

Improved staff satisfaction by better work control, more analysis and increased competences

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6. Investment and Financing PlanThis plan includes some key development actions that are supporting the development of the statistical system of the Slovak Republic, improving quality and overall efficiency and ensuring the sustainability of the statistical system. Improved statistics will provide a better basis for evidence based policy formulation and decisions within the Slovak Republic and thus contribute to good governance. Thus improved statistics can help to target public money and to ensure more efficient usage of public budgets.

Official statistics is part of the infrastructure of a modern society and a public good normally financed from public budgets in order to ensure the independence of the statistical institutions and the wide coverage and high quality of the statistical products that should also be made accessible to all potential users.

Thus public financing will also be necessary for these development actions.

6.1. Input requirementsIt should be underlined that the cost estimates at this stage (draft plan) should be verified, especially for the larger actions involving several partners. It should also be noted that some actions more or less can be implemented within the existing budget framework of the Statistical office, whereas other action will be fully dependent on the supply of extra funding.

6.1.1. Capital expenditures, including works and equipmentBased on a first estimation of the costs related to the different actions necessary to achieve the main objectives, the following estimate can be provided (table below). The figures are very provisional and will have to be verified.

The cost estimates covers the period from now until the end of 2008. Most of the actions are development projects and will result in limited recurrent expenditures.

Provisional cost estimate for main objectives

 Est. costs (1000 SKK)

2007 2008 2009 Of which investment

a) To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SOSR 403 123 200 80 0b) To extend the program for training 655 195 330 130 0c) To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys 715 210 365 140 0

d) To review the division of labour within the whole statistical system 580 170 290 120 0

e) To improve dissemination and services to users 3,234 967 1,617 650 0f) To increase the usage of data from administrative sources 529 146 279 104 0g) To develop a program for the supply and analysis of information in the social area 6,644 1,962 3,322 1,360 0

h) To develop integrating frameworks and satellite accounts 5,408 1,604 2,704 1,100 200i-q) To purchase equipment and physical infrastructure 43,668 5,000 23,668 15,000 36,150Total estimate 61,836 10,377 32,775 18,684 36,350

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6.1.2. Recurrent expenditures

Most of the actions proposed are development projects of temporary nature. However, several actions will require later maintenance, but hopefully this can be covered through the normal operational budget, as some actions also should lead to increased efficiency and savings.

6.1.3. Technical assistance needs

Some of the actions will benefit from consultations with countries with similar experiences. Norway has for instance for long time been working on joint technical solutions for data collection from local authorities, and also has a long time experiences in developing and using integrated register systems including population registration, address registration and enterprise registration. Other Nordic countries have similar experiences. Also in the field of monitoring and analysing living conditions experiences from other countries should be studied, as well as when developing accounting frameworks.

Financing for study tours, seminars should thus be included.

6.2. Financing planIt still has to be evaluated how some of the actions can be financed.

6.2.1. Government budget

The budget framework for the SO SR, proposed by the Ministry of Finance of SR, for the years 2007-2009 represents the following total expenditures ( in thous. SKK)

The realisation of the Time bound implementation program requires an increase of financial means by 61.836 million SKK in total, for period 2007-2009, compared to the above presented budget proposal.

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Year 2007 2008 2009

Total expenditure 464,815 491,287 673,950

of which Current expenditure 457,815 481,287 663,950

Capital 7,000 10,000 10,000

Year 2007 2008 2009

Total expenditure 10,377 32,775 18,684

of which Current expenditure 3,061 14,600 7,779

Capital 7,270 18,175 10,905

6.2.2. Donors

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6.3. Detailed budgetThe following budget is made based on consultations within the SO SR and with relevant partners. Still adjustments can be made during the finalisation of the plan. Priorities have also to be decided for the different action, in consultation with main stakeholders.

Main objectives and actions Start End Responsible plus Partners

Manpower Weeks

Investment (1000 SKK)

Total cost (1000 SK)

Financing Priority

Stat budget SOSR

State budget Other

Other sources

a.  To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR by:a1)  Introducing an improved program for human resource management including the motivation system (financial and non financial motivation), increased flexibility and a training program to adapt to new challenges

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 8 67.2 33.6 16.8 16.8

a2)  Reviewing the division of labour between the different branches of the SO SR, for instance by concentrating the whole responsibility for specific surveys and subject areas to one location within a network organisation.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 8 67.2 33.6 16.8 16.8

a3)  Introducing into annual programming and follow up - in addition to existing costs related indicators - other performance indicators (e.g. time use budgeting and other) to different surveys

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 8 67.2 33.6 16.8 16.8

a4)  Reviewing how methodological and analytical capacity of the whole organisation can be improved,

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 24 201.6 100.8 50.4 50.4

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including the resources available within InfostatSum a) 48 0 403.2 201.6 100.8 100.8b.  To extend the program for training in the field of key statistics with an aim to:1) Improve knowledge of the requirements of the key statistics (national accounts and other) among producers of primary statistics and making them capable of delivering products adapted to key statistics needs.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 32 268.8 134.4 67.2 67.2

2) Improve knowledge among users about the key statistics (national accounts and macroeconomic statistics and other) in cooperation with important partners such as Infostat, in order to improve qualified understanding and usage of these data in national planning and policy making.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 30 252 126 63 63

3) Improve knowledge among both users and producers about the social statistics on the regional level.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 16 134.4 67.2 33.6 33.6

Sum b) 78 0 655.2 327.6 163.8 163.8c) To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys by:c.1. Reviewing the scope of the different surveys in order to ensure that proper legislation is developed for surveys that primary have an administrative purpose and thus should not be based on statistical legislation.

Mar.07 Des.08 31 260.4 130.2 65.1 65.1

c.2. Improving the legal basis for coordination and efficiency of the statistical system by amending the statistical law to provide necessary influence on the development of administrative sources as well as access to these sources on micro-level.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 54 453.6 226.8 113.4 113.4

Sum c) 85 0 714 684.6 342.3 342.3d) To review the division of labour within the whole 0 0 0

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statistical system in order to:d.1.Benefit from joint data collection solutions for reducing response burden and improving the use of new technology

SOSR 7 58,8 29,4 14.7 14.7

d.1.Improve the efficiency and quality of processes for data editing and documentation

SOSR 42 352.8 176.4 88.2 88.2

d.1.Improve the coordination and quality of dissemination of statistical output.

SOSR 20 168 84 42 42

Sum d) 69 0 579.6 289.8 144.9 144.9e)  To improve dissemination and services to users, by: e.1.    Developing better access to data prepared for micro-analysis, especially from the LFS and the EU-SILC,

Jun.06 Des.08 see g1,2,3,

e.2.  Developing products focussing on analysis and presentation of data targeting specific user groups,

Mar.06 Des.07 see g1,2,3,

10 84 42 21 21

e.3.    To equip workplaces providing information services with adequate application software for user segmentation

Mar.06 Des.07 SOSR 58 487.2 243.6 121.8 121.8

e.3.1   To carry out an analysis of existing requests by groups of users

Mar.07 Des.07 SOSR 4 33.6 16.8 8.4 8.4

e.3.2   To carry out a survey on prospective needs by groups of users, further biannually

Mar.07 Des.07 SOSR 12 100.8 50.4 25.2 25.2

e.3.3    To adjust the marketing plan (Catalogue of Publications and further parts of the plan)

Mar.07 Des.07 SOSR 4 33.6 16.8 8.4 8.4

e.4.     Providing more training on accessing and using statistics, especially for users within public administration,

Mar.07 Des.07 6 50.4 25.2 12.6 12.6

e.4.1. To carry out a survey on training needs in the field of statistics among key users

Mar.07 Des.07 SOSR 24 201.6 100.8 50.4 50.4

e.4.2.  Based on the survey results determination of fields and forms and methods of training

Mar.07 Des.07 SOSR 3 25.2 12.6 6.3 6.3

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e.5.        Strengthening the dissemination function within the SO SR to ensure improved quality of presentations in publications, press releases and other media,

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 2 16.8 8.4 4.2 4.2

e.5.1.   To centralise technologies related to final product preparation and uniform application of modern technical–technological facilities for presentation of statistical information

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 84 705.6 352.8 176.4 176.4

e.5.2 To produce products with higher value added (analyses, graphs, charts)

Mar.07 Des.08 36 302.4 151.2 75.6 75.6

e.5.3 To make better use of the potentials of web technologies for disseminating statistical data (design and content of web page )

Mar.07 Des.08 84 705.6 352.8 176.4 176.4

e.5.4. To establish a call centre of the SOSR Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 0 0 0 0e.6.    Developing a common statistical portal, with common presentation standards and improved presentation (graphics, maps),

Mar.07 Des.08 10 84 42 21 21

e.6.1. Survey of the portfolio of statistical products at key ministries forming the NSS

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 24 201.6 100.8 50.4 50.4

e.6.2.  Harmonisation of catalogues of publications (and further plans related to statistical products) of ministries (content and extend)

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 12 100.8 50.4 25.2 25.2

e.6.3.  To design presentation standards for products of the NSS (design, structure, tables)

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 12 100.8 50.4 25.2 25.2

Sum e) 385 0 3,234 1,617 808.5 808.5f) To increase the usage of data from administrative sources and participate in improving their qualityf.1. To reassess statistical surveys in order to decrease respondent burden

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 8 67.2 33.6 16.8 16.8

f.2. To cooperate with governors of administrative data sources in harmonisation of their content and to sectors recommend legislative changes related to

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 55 462 231 115.5 115.5

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individual institutions and data maintained by them.Sum f) 63 0 529.2 264.6 132.3 132.3g) To develop a program for the supply and analysis of information in the social area, in cooperation with the main partners, and especially:g.1   To ensure high quality of the EU-SILC data at present in processing and a customer oriented utilisation plan.

Jun.06 Des.08 SOSR 25 210 105 52.5 52.5

g.2. To assess, together with main partners, whether supplementary ad-hoc surveys will be necessary to provide better understanding of the situation of specific groups of the population in order to assess the needs for public action.

Jun.06 Feb.07 SOSR 26 218.4 109.2 54.6 54.6

g.3   To enlarge existing and establish new social statistics surveys ( including Time Use Survey)

Jan.07 Des.09 SOSR,MLSF,M educ,

740 6,216 3,108 1,554 1,554

Sum g) 791 0 6,644.4 3,322.2 1,661.1 1,661.1h) To develop integrating frameworks and satellite accounts for selected statistic areash.1. Develop satellite accounts in tourism. Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 124 1,041.6 520.8 260.4 260.4h.2. Develop satellite accounts in health. Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 124 1,041.6 520.8 260.4 260.4h.3. Develop integrated education statistics/satellite accounts.

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 124 200 1,241.6 620.8 310.4 310.4

h.4. Develop labour market accounting. Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 124 1,041.6 520.8 260.4 260.4h.5. To initiate a project to develop a joint address register and an improved population registration system

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 124 1,041.6 520.8 260.4 260.4

Sum h) SOSR 620 200 5,408 2,704 1,352 1,352To invest in equipment and physical infrastruturei) To initiate a project involving several partners for developing a joint technical data collection solution

Jun.06 Mar.08 SOSR 200 200 1880 940 470 470

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from local authorities, linked to e-government initiative. j) To develop a detailed programme for improving ICT infrastructure, ensuring improved efficiency and quality of statistical processing.

Mar.06 Des.09 SOSR 100 450 1,290 645 322.5 322.5

k) To modify the technologies for collection, transfer and dissemination of statistical information based on web services.

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 80 2,000 2,672 1,336 668 668

l) To upgrade physical infrastructure (servers, work stations and networks as well as make available standard licensed software products) to meet existing and new requirement.

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 70 26,000 26,588 13,294 6,647 6,647

m) To put in place proper solutions for data protection.

Mar.06 Mar.07 SOSR 70 2,000 2,588 1,294 647 647

n) To ensure a better compatibility with other information systems, with focus on administrative data sources.

Mar.07 Des.08 SOSR 210 2,000 3,764 1,882 941 941

o) To put in place proper solutions for IT Service Management (ITSM).

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 90 1,500 2,256 1,128 564 564

p) To develop solutions for internal office automation, planning and internal communication.

Mar.07 Mar.09 SOSR 40 2,000 2,336 1,168 584 584

q) To put in place a training program both for IT specialists and non-IT specialists.

Mar.07 Des.09 SOSR 35 0 294 147 73.5 73.5

Sum i) - q) 895 36,150 43,668 21,834 10,917 10,917

TOTAL SUM: 3,034 36,350 61,835.6 30,917.8 15,458.9 15,458.9

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7. Implementation Plan

7.1. Implementation mechanisms and sustainability Executing agencies. The main partners of the national statistical system will have to be involved in the implementation. These are indicated in the tabular overview of the different actions.

Management and coordination. The Statistical office will be the body with the main responsibility for planning, coordinating and implementing the programme as a whole. Separate projects will have to be organised for larger initiatives, and it might be that the leading agency for these projects can be outside the statistical office. This has to be evaluated in each case.

The National Statistical Council should be consulted on a regular basis for information on the progress and be able to comment on proposals and results.

Alternatives considered and rejected. No other alternatives were considered as this would mean to develop new institutions or shift responsibility between institutions.

Sustainability. The master plan addresses some main issues related to the organisation, the infrastructure and the quality of the Slovak statistical system. Thus, if well planned and followed up, the proposed actions should help to ensure the long-term sustainability for the statistical system.

The plan is also developed in close cooperation with the statistical office and its main partners and thus should have a clear national ownership, ensuring its implementation.

7.2. Monitoring and evaluationMechanisms for monitoring. The SO SR should regularly, and at least every half year, establish an overview of the progress of the different actions for presentation to the National Statistical Council might be the most appropriate place for coordinating and discussing progress.

7.2.1. Summary of targets and indicators

The main objective of this Master plan is to address some structural problem in order to improve the overall quality and capacity of the Slovak statistical system, addressing different quality aspects such as user orientation and accessibility, timeliness, accuracy and efficiency. This should ensure a better basis for evidence-based decision-making within the Slovak Republic on different political levels.

Some more concrete targets and actions are:

To develop a program for the supply and analysis of statistical information in the social area, in close cooperation with the main partners.

To initiate a project involving several partners for developing a technical solution for joint data collection from local authorities. This project will serve multiple purposes, and not least provide improved information on social and economic conditions within different parts of Slovakia.

To improve dissemination and services to users, by improved training and solutions for dissemination, including a joint portal for statistical information.

To improve the robustness, efficiency and capacity of the SO SR by improved human resource management and wage motivation as well as organisational development

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To clarify the borderline between administrative and statistical surveys and improve the more efficient use of administrative surveys.

To review the division of labour within the whole statistical system both in the data collection and in dissemination.

To develop tourism, health, education and labour market satellite accounts.

To initiate a project for developing and integrated population/address register solution.

7.2.2. Logical framework

The major projects resulting from this plan should follow good practice for project implementation, including clear objectives, well founded resources estimates, established time tables, a project organisation with clear tasks and responsibilities, and good routines for follow up and reporting on progress.

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Annex 1

Overview of available IT technology, networks etc.

Documents regulating the management and administration of technological infrastructure of statistical information system of the SO SR1/ Decree of the SO SR regarding computer network STATNET structure of the STATNET network, services and type application of the STATNET network, administration of the STATNET network connectivity to other networks – the Slovak government network GOVNET

INTERNET administration of database servers, operation regulations of the STATNET network.

2/ Data protection and security in automated data processing in the SO SR information system documentation to secure network infrastructure to ensure that network services cannot be disrupted, physical security for network nodes, operations support systems and database systems, including

enabling journalising and auditing features, documentation of specific security procedures and processes as part of engineering and operations plan

3/ Documentation to Automated Statistical Information System - ASIS Meta-information subsystem – METIS, Statistical register subsystem – REGIS, Subsystem of collection and pre-processing of data – ZBER, Subsystem of statistical data bank – DS,• Subsystem of electronic information service – ELIS.

4/ Technical project for collection, processing and providing statistical data for various

statistical surveys.5/ Documentation for planning a development of IT.

A 1. Present Technical, communication and software equipment of the Statistical Office and its branchesHeadquarters of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic

Server Alphaserver GS 160 Processor 6 x RISC Alpha, 730 MHzRAM 8 GBHDD 108 GBExternal Disc Array (SAN) 946 GBDLT Streamer (SAN) 1050 GBOperating System Tru64Unix v. 5.1Database System Oracle 9i ver. 9.2.0.1.0

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Production Server Hardware PartitionProcessor 4 x RISC Alpha, 730 MHzRAM 6 GBHDD appropriate part of 108 GB External Disc Array appropriate part of 946 GB (modifiable)DLT Streamer appropriate part of 1050 GB (modifiable)Operating System Tru64Unix v. 5.1Database System Oracle 9i ver. 9.2.0.1.0 Development Server Hardware Partition (Under Reconstruction)Processor 2 x RISC Alpha, 730 MHzRAM 2 GBHDD appropriate part of 108 GBExternal Disc Array appropriate part of 946 GB (modifiable)DLT Streamer appropriate part of 1050 GB (modifiable)Operating System Tru64Unix v. 5.1Database System Oracle 9i ver. 9.2.0.1.0

Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

Application Server Digital Alpha 4100Processor 2 x RISC Alpha, 600 MHzRAM 2 GBHDD 40 GBExternal Disc Array 108 GBDLT Streamer 100 GBOperating System Tru64 Unix ver.5.1Database System Oracle8.1.7Analyse System SAS server v.8.2GIS SDE serverLocation and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

Administration Server Digital Alpha 2100Processor RISC Alpha 21164, 190 MHzRAM 256 MBHDD 12 GBOperating System Digital Unix v. 4.0FDatabase System -Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

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WWW Server AlphaServer DS20e Processor RISC Alpha 667 MHzRAM 1 GBHDD 109 GBOperating System Tru64Unix v. 5.1WWW Server Oracle 8i, ver. 8.1.7Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

Firewall 1 Alpha 1000AProcessor RISC Alpha 21064, 233 MHzRAM 128 MBHDD 1 GBOperating System Digital Unix v. 4.0.FSecurity System Raptor Firewall Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava;

protection of the STATNET network

MS NT Server Digital Priorix MX 6200Processor 2 x Intel Pentium Pro, 200 MHzRAM 128 MBHDD 8 GBOperating System Windows NT 4.0Communication System MS Exchange Server 5.0, FaxinationLocation and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava;

Primary Domain Controller BAMIL

MS NT Server Digital Priorix MX 6200 (3 pieces)Processor Intel Pentium Pro, 200 MHzRAM 64 MBHDD 8 GBOperating System Windows NT 4.0Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava;

Backup Domain Controller BAMILPrimary Domain Controller BADUBPrimary Domain Controller BAHAN

Firewall 2Processor Intel PentiumOperating System MS Windows 2000 Profesional CZSecurity System WinProxy 1.4Location and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava;

protection of the STATNET network

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DTP WorkstationOperating System Windows 2000Graphical Software Corel DrawAuxiliary Software MS Front Page, Recognita OCR, DeskScan, MulticodLocation and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

GIS WorkstationOperating System Windows 2000Graphical Software ARC View, ArcGIS 8Auxiliary Software MS Front Page, Recognita OCR, DeskScanLocation and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

GIS Mapy Sun MicrosystemsOperating System Sun Solaris8Graphical Software ARCIMS 4Auxiliary SoftwareLocation and function Statistical Office Headquarters, Mileticova 3., Bratislava

PC WorkstationsProcessor Intel PentiumRAM 128 MBHDD 4 GB and moreOperating System Windows 2000 Professional CZOffice Software: Word Processor: Microsoft Word 2000 CZ

Spreadsheet: Microsoft Excel 2000 CZDatabase: Microsoft Access 2000 CZPresentation package: Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 CZ

Communication TCP/IPDatabase Access ODBC, Oracle ClientAnalysis System SAS Enterprise GuideWWW Browser MS Internet ExplorerNetworked stations in STATNET 328Location and function Bratislava, Statistical Office premises at Mileticova 3; Dubravska 3

Regional Administrations of the Statistical Office

Database Server AlphaServer 20e (8 pieces)Processor RISC Alpha 667 MHzRAM 1 GBHDD 200 GBOperating System Tru64Unix v. 5.1Database System Oracle 9i ver. 9.2.0.1.0 Location and function Regional administrations of the Statistical Office Headquarters

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MS NT Server (8 pieces)Processor Intel Pentium RAM min. 128 MBHDD min. 4 GBOperating System Windows NT 4.0Location and function Regional administrations of the Statistical Office Headquarters;

Primary Domain Controllers

PC WorkstationsProcessor Intel 586 / PentiumRAM 128 MBHDD 4 GB and moreOperating System MS Windows 2000 Professional CZOffice Software: Word Processor: Microsoft Word 2000 CZ

Spreadsheet: Microsoft Excel 2000 CZDatabase: Microsoft Access 2000 CZPresentation package: Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 CZ

Communication NetBEUI, TCP/IPDatabase Access ODBC, Oracle Client 9.2Analysis System SAS - Enterprise GuideWWW Browser MS Internet ExplorerNetworked stations in STATNET 536

Network

LANLAN Central,OS Headquarters

Switched Ethernet, structured cabling 10/100 BaseTX

LAN Central,Dubravská cesta (INFOSTAT)

Switched Ethernet, structured cabling 10/100 BaseTX

LAN Central,Hanulova 5

Switched Ethernet, structured cabling 10/100 BaseTX

LAN Central,Regional administrations (8 x)

Switched Ethernet, structured cabling 10/100 BaseTX

WANNumber of Connections 11 LAN NetworksTransfer Rate Headquarters and Regional administration in Bratislava – 2 Mbps,

other Regional administrations 256 kbpsTransfer protocol TCP/IP, Frame Relay (data link layer)Security CUG, data encryption

STATNET Interconnections with Major Networks

GOVNET Government Data Network – 2 Mbps INTERNET 4 MbpsList of Software

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Standard software MS Windows 2000 Professional CZ, Microsoft Office 2000 Professional CZ, F-Secure Professional 5.41,

Microsoft Mail, Total Commander Higher standard software and services Internet E-mail, Telnet, FTP, and WWW services (Internet, GOVNET connection).

Special software Oracle client, Oracle Developer 2000, Oracle Designer 2000, ODBC driver, X-terminal emulator

(eXcursion), GUI FTP client, SAS Enterprise Guide, SPSS, SDE (Spatial Database Engine), ArcView, CorelDraw, PC Translator, JASPI

Operating systems Tru64Unix v. 5.1, Windows NT 4.0, MS Windows 2000 Professional CZ SP3, Sun Solaris 8 Database system Oracle9i ver. 9.2.0.1.0, Oracle 8i ver. 8.1.7, Miscellaneous network software MS Exchange Server 5.0, Faxination, Raptor Firewall, WinProxy 1.4

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Network structure

N R K S

B A M IL

P O K ST T K S

KEKS

B B K S

Z A K S

B A K SB A D U B

T N K S

TS K -N E T2 M bit/s

2 M bit/s 2 M bit/s

256kbit/s256kbit/s

256kbit/s

256kbit/s

256kbit/s256kbit/s256kbit/s

Structure of the STATNET networkDomains

The WAN STATNET network consists of LANs, created on the basis of structured cabling in individual buildings of headquarters and Regional administrations of the Statistical Office. Each LAN constitutes a separate logical area – STATNET domain. Domain names are derived from individual locations:

BAMIL Headquarters, Mileticova 3, Bratislava BADUBOS, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava BAKS Regional administration in Bratislava TTKS Regional administration in Trnava NRKS Regional administration in Nitra TNKS Regional administration in Trencin ZAKS Regional administration in Zilina BBKS Regional administration in Banska Bystrica KEKS Regional administration in Kosice POKS Regional administration in Presov

BAMIL is the primary domain, super-ordinate to other domains. The BAMIL and BADUB domains comprise WAN of the headquarters, or MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), including the BA domain.

Physical Interconnection of Individual DomainsThe MAN network is based on microwave links with 1.6 Mbps actual transfer rate. Regional offices

are connected through the TSK-Net network of Telenor s.r.o.

Transfer protocols in the STATNET NetworkTwo network operation systems installed on servers are used: Windows NT 4.0 and Digital Unix

4.0. From the point of view of network management, the primary operating system is Windows NT. This operating system is used for creation of STATNET domains, user accounts, access rights, etc. The communication in STATNET is based on TCP/IP protocols. Packets, travelling through the TSK – NET are managed by the Frame Relay transfer protocol (data link layer from the point of view of the OSI reference model). This transfer protocol guarantees sufficient network throughput.

Local networks in individual domains

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Historically, BAMIL is the oldest LAN of the STATNET network. All central servers, communication resources, network management and monitoring tools are localised in this domain. The domain was built on the basis of structured cabling for high-speed Fast Ethernet communication. There are four connection points in each room; one of them is used for phone line connection. The active elements used allow 100 Mbps communication with the production server and divide the network into logical groups using switches, thereby increasing performance and efficiency of network operation. Other LAN networks are designed in the same manner.

Connection of STATNET to other networks INFOSTAT

Infostat (IP 10.1.10.X) users communicate with STATNET through the BADUB domain. The connection

is realised by a switch, playing the role of network gateway (filter). Ethernete addresses of source nodes

(workstations that are authorised to access the network) in the data frames should be defined in the bridge

table. The bridge is administered by network administrator.

GOVNETConnected via a 2-Mbit/s-access data circuit through the BAMIL domain. Authorised access is

secured by

firewall.

INTERNETRealised by a tunnel (access division) through the STATNET main router with 1-Mbit/s

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Annex 2

Members of National Statistical Council

1. Jana Sestrienková, Government Office SR

2. Peter Ondrejka, Ministry of Economy SR

3. Peter Berčík, Ministry of Interior SR,

4. Pavol Beňo, Ministry of Finance SR,

5. Viera Beláňová, Ministry of Culture SR,

6. Ján Ondrejka, Ministry of Health SR,

7. Katarína Strapoňová, Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family SR,

8. Juraj Kobela, Ministry of Education SR,

9. Ladislav Bodor, Ministry of Justice SR,

10. Štefan Tóth, , Ministry of Environment SR,

11. Ján Dianiška , Ministry of Agriculture SR,

12. Jela Kyseľová, Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecommunications SR,

13. Dušan Hudec, Ministry of Construction and Regional Development SR,

14. Gregor Bajtay, National Bank of the Slovak Republic

15. Association of Employers

16. Vladimír Haško, Board of Labor, Social Affairs and Family SR

17. Jozef Obrtlík, Trade Union Confederation,

18. Peter Škovránek, Board of tangible state reserves SR,

19. Ingrid Benková, Head Quarters of Tax Authority SR, Banská Bystrica

20. Štefánia Hrubá, Social Insurance,

21. Alena Gežová, General Health Insurance,

22. Eva Sodomová, Economy University, Bratislava,

23. Juraj Poledna, National Agency for development of SMEs,

24. Peter Mach, Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic,

25. Benjamín Berta, Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic,

26. Mária Mindošová, Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic,

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Annex 3

Description the methodology of the Household Budget Survey and the EU-SILC

Household budget surveyGeneral Since the the last half of the 1950’s, the Household Budget Surveys in Slovakia (HBS-SR) are realised as regular annual surveys. Up to 1992, the Czechoslovak statistical offices in Prague carried out the methodology of the surveys. From 1993 onwards the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) took over this task.

The basic goal of this survey was to obtain basic information on the structure of incomes and expenditures of households. The results were used in planning and verifying of social policy of government and for the definition of weights for calculation of consumption price indices in statistical rules.

At present, household budget survey data have been used especially for monitoring household expenditure structure, for the definition of weights for calculating consumer price indices, as one resource for final consumption in National Account System, for the definition of household expenditures on certain goods and services (food consumption, health). Besides this, universities, research institutions, media and general public use the data, as well.

Household budget survey data 2005 will be sent to Eurostat and they will be part of the database together with Household budget survey data of other EU Member States.

Survey objectivesThe Slovak Household Budget Surveys are based on consumption expenditure principle (‘total household consumption expenditure’). It means, they are aimed at obtaining data regarding the expenditure of households and their members on consumption goods and services, including consumption of goods, which households produced themselves (food), or which they received from the employer or other households.

From 1997, SO SR have used for consumption expenditure sorting the international classification – COICOP, from 2004 fully harmonised with recommendations defined in document ‘HOUSEHOLD BUDGET SURVEYS IN EU. Methodology and recommendations for harmonisation, 2003’.

Information about other money expenditure, supplemental information for data sorting (household income and member characteristics) and secondary information about dwelling quality, household equipment and some data on property) are collected in addition to consumption expenditure. Imputed rent of owner-occupied dwellings is not calculated.

Survey unitThe basic unit of data obtaining and analyzing in household budget surveys is the private household, which is created by one or more persons fulfilling two conditions:1. live together in the same dwelling, and2. participate together at expenditure, before all on housing and eating.(Collective households, as cloisters, hospitals, collective home, prisons are not included).

Each person, who complies with the condition of common-living and common compensation of expenditure (especially on eating and housing), is a household member out of kinship. The definition of household member in HBS is the same as the definition of household member in SILC.

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SamplingSlovak Household Budget Surveys previously used the intentional – quota sampling for creating the reporting net. The reason of this was successful basic information about income and expenditure of the population (planned wages and social incomes, planned distribution of consumption goods and services), and lower survey costs. During the nineties the political, economical and social conditions in Slovak Republic were transformed. Data, which were applied for the correct definition of sample quota of HBS, had to be estimated to a high degree. This was the reason for changing to the use of random sample. The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) began to use random sample for obtaining of household expenditure and consumption by Household Budget Surveys in 2004.

Simple size: approximately 4 700 households in one year. Sample unit: private household; no household was eliminated in advance. In 2004-2005 were

households were contacted only once. Sample frame: household file, produced from data of Population and Housing Census, 2001. For sample creation was used proportionally stratified random sample:

1st stratum: administrative region (in each region was selected the same number of households)

2nd stratum: size group of municipality (size group was defined by number of population; in each group were proportionally selected households in relation to proportional division of households in each administrative region):

1st stage: in each region were selected municipalities from each size group (in great towns were selected territories)

2nd stage: in each selected municipality / town was realized systematic selection of households

Reference period: Data are processed in one-calendar-year period. All reporting households put down information about their current expenditure and income during one month. Data about great and non-regularly purchases, potentially great income, were obtained for 12-months period.

Sample representativeness: The sample is representative at the regional level.

Sample instrumentsThe SO SR uses two basic forms to collect information in household budget surveys: Household diary: households filled diaries one month and recorded their current expenditure and

income for the whole household. Food expenditure were recorded in money form and in bought quantities. There were recorded consumption of food produced by the household itself, and goods and services obtained from employer or other household.

Household data view served before all to data recording about household members, about dwelling, household equipment, ownership of selected real estate and to record of non-regularly and great expenditure and income.

Processing of data Weighting: On the basis of the representativity of households collaborating according to the strata:

administrative region, size group of municipality, household size. Missing values: input data were selected from survey:

o of household member : by donors (the nearest neighbour in the same stratum) – did not use: all needful data were recorded;

o of income and expenditure : by donors (the nearest neighbour) or by average value in the same or the nearest stratum.

Data processing type: special software for household budget surveys was used for data recoding, their control, and creation of the first data files in regional statistical offices. Output files, their control and weights were processed in central statistical office via SAS.

Control procedures: optical control of records in diary, logical control in diary and between diary and view-questionnaires, control of minimum-maximum values, control of minimum-maximum price (of data with two inputs).

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Production time: app. 6 months. Use of registers: no register used. Coherence with other statistics: comparison with average data in wage statistics and pension

statistics. Forms of dissemination: Results from the survey are published every year in „Income, Expenditure

and Consumption of Private Households in SR“

Statistics on Income and Living Conditions – EU-SILCThe EU-SILC (Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) is aiming at providing comparable information on the level and structure of poverty and social exclusion in Member States of EU as a basis for more targeted policies to avoid social exclusion In Slovakia, this survey started to be implemented for the first time in 2005. The Regulation (EC) No 1177/2003, as amended by further regulations, represents its legal framework.

The target of this survey is to obtain comparable (harmonized) and actual cross-sectional and longitudinal information on level and income distribution, level and structure of poverty, socially deprived households, structure and reasons (factors) of social exclusion of persons. It should provide the basis for a database for the measurement of absolute poverty line, or subjective poverty line.

Performance of the survey- The survey in 2005 was conducted with a sample of 6,000 households using paper questionnaires.

Households were selected as a representative probability sample in harmony with relevant regulations.

- The processing solution was divided into 2 levels. On decentralized level, the Regional Offices of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) established the interviewers´ network, and provided the methodological training of these interviewers, data collection, primary check and data recording. All activities were divided among 3 employees; one of them was responsible for technical and organization processes, one of them for methodology and the last one for data processing. For efficiency reasons, we created conditions for utilizing internal sources regarding personal, logistics, managerial and also computing sources. On centralized level, the processing of this project is provided by 2 managers and 1 clerical personnel, together with 5 employees. They are responsible for methodological activities, consultations with Eurostat, training of coordinators of the Regional Offices, data processing on centralized level (checks on centralized level, imputations, weighting, calibration, calculations of indicators and relevant indices) and other activities concluded by the Methodological manual of the SO SR in project implementation.

- As the data for the moment are under processing at central level, it is difficult to evaluate data quality. The whole evaluation will be the part of the Quality reports, which will be transmitted to Eurostat after ending of activities within EU-SILC 2005.

- Concerning harmonization, which is the key aspect of this survey, the SO SR is pressing for maximum consequentiality and equality in the process of implementing activities related to particular regulations, related to the inclusion of indicators into survey and the definitions of methodology and processing methods. To ensure harmonisation and good coordination a Working Group with experts of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affaires and Family was created. This group participated in formulating the questionnaire and on the base of their requirements, some another variables were included into the survey.

- This survey is partly financed from EU resources and with contribution of the Slovak Republic. On the base of grant is contribution of the SO SR 33% of total amount.

Methods and forms of communication and activity management of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) – Regional Offices – within EU SILC 2005

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The main methods of activity management of the SO SR – Regional Offices within EU SILC 2005 are personal, phone and written form of communication, meetings and trainings. Managers of department providing this survey organized meetings with directors of the Regional Offices in quarter period of survey year. The aim of meetings was information on relevant legislation, content of the survey, methodology, organization, personal and technical provision of the survey on individual Regional Offices, solution of financial provision on Regional Offices´ level. Experts on methodology of the department of Population statistics of the SO SR in first half of the year, i.e. in period, in which the main activity was centered on the Regional Offices, prepared meetings with relevant coordinators responsible for preparing and implementation of the survey on the Regional Offices with following tasks:February – methodology of EU-SILC – content of the survey, variables, questionnaires, ,,Technical and organization provision”, comments to questionnaires, evaluation of acceptance of these comments.March – criteria of selection of interviewers network, random sampling of households, evidence of primary financial documents, comments of Manual for interviewers and evaluation of acceptance of these comments.April – training of interviewers in relation to Manual for interviewersMay – comments to Manual for data collection and checking and evaluation of acceptance of these comments, back information from coordinators on actual situation in data collecting by fieldwork,July – training related to Automatic Software for data recording and processing on decentralized level

Training of all coordinators was carried out in 18 – 19. 4.2005 in order to prepare the provision of interviewers training in the Regional Offices. Methodological experts of the Department of population statistics provided training. The training provided explanation of variables, their content and questions in questionnaires and methodology in Manual for interviewers.

Experts of the SO SR, responsible for survey implementation, were present on training of individual Regional Offices on the basis of schedule. Their task was to provide harmonisation in relation to explanation of survey methodology and to answer the questions, which were not to be able to answer by trainers. Also they summarized opacities as support for elaboration of amendment to Manual for interviewers.

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