ASRB Business Plan 2026/27

Last updated: 13 May 2026

Introduction

This Business Plan sets out the key goals of Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) for the next year and details the activities that will be undertaken to achieve them.

Our main focus is the provision of high quality statistical, analytical and research services to DfI. We will continue to work with policy and operational colleagues to support their policy development, monitoring and wider business area needs. We aim to respond positively to new data needs and to place an emphasis on User-Focused Dissemination. We want to provide relevant and timely statistics and analysis to support the Department in meeting its seven major objectives (Foundations for a Better Future) and the three Groups in meeting their keys goals in the areas of Water, Transport and Planning.

Context

The ASRB Business Plan was drafted following engagement with each of the Grade 3 led groups in the Department and was finalised at the Analysis, Statistics & Research Steering Group meeting held in May 2026. Given the recent and upcoming changes at Senior Management level in DfI and potential change in structure, an in-year work programme review will take place to confirm that our statistical and analytical support and outputs still align with Departmental priorities.

Purpose

Provide trusted and independent insight on life in Northern Ireland.

Mission

To deliver trustworthy, high-quality statistics, analysis and research which provide evidence to inform policy discussions and public debate in Northern Ireland.


Code of Practice for Statistics

As NISRA statisticians, ASRB staff are guided by the Code of Practice for Statistics, which sets out the common standards for producers of official statistics. It plays an essential role in ensuring that statistics published by government command public confidence through demonstrating trustworthiness and providing high quality statistics that enhance public value. Our compliance with the Code is monitored by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), under the Statistics and Registration Services Act (2007). During 2026/27, ASRB will continue to adhere to and promote the refreshed Code of Practice for Statistics.


Key Objectives

The following tables highlight the key tasks to be carried out by ASRB statisticians during 2026/27 for each of the three DfI Groups. The tables for Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) and Climate, Planning and Public Transport (CPPT) are also separated by DfI Directorate.


Transport and Road Asset Management

Table 1: Transport Planning and Policy

Area (Foundation) Task
Parking Enforcement Services Upload Penalty Charge Notice data to Open Data Portal
Parking Enforcement Services Potential development of a new dissemination tool to provide enhanced breakdowns in published statistics
Transport Decarbonisation (Tackle Climate Change, Cleaner and Greener Transport) Provide quarterly statistics on ULEV registrations
Transport Decarbonisation (Tackle Climate Change, Cleaner and Greener Transport) Produce and publish Official Statistics report on public attitudes to e-cars
Transport Decarbonisation (Tackle Climate Change, Cleaner and Greener Transport, Including People) Analytical support for Transport Working Groups and User personas project
Transport Decarbonisation (Tackle Climate Change, Cleaner and Greener Transport) Analytical support for Transport Data Evidence Group and new CAP Dashboard (Climate Action Plan)
Transport Planning and Modelling Unit (Cleaner and Greener Transport, Including People) Accredited Officials Statistics from the Travel Survey NI
Travel Survey NI Undertake a full review of TSNI questionnaire
Transport Accessibility (Including People) Support for accessibility analysis for NI Multiple Deprivation Measures - Access to Services update


Table 2: A5WTC and Active Travel

Area (Foundation) Task
Active Travel (Cleaner and Greener Transport) Publish official statistics from the Continuous Household Survey (CHS) on Walking, Cycling, and Travel to School
Active Travel (Cleaner and Greener Transport) Produce analysis of Cycling Proficiency Scheme


Table 3: Road Asset Maintenance

Area (Foundation) Task
Road Asset Maintenance – HQ (Better Roads) Publish official statistics on Road Network and Conditions
Road Asset Maintenance – HQ (Better Roads) Enhance the official statistics report in line with OSR and Stakeholder requirements
Road Asset Maintenance – HQ (Better Roads) Analytical support for use and reporting of performance data across Road Asset Maintenance


Table 4: Engineering and Transformation

Area (Foundation) Task
Mercury Transformation programme (Better Roads, Including People) Monthly update of HR Dashboard


Table 5: Roads Engineering

Area (Foundation) Task
Experimental Traffic Control (Better Roads) Analytical support for consultation


Climate, Planning and Public Transport

Table 6: Railways, Transport Regulation and Climate

Area (Foundation) Task
Railways (Cleaner and Greener Transport) Publish Translink rail statistics
Railways (Cleaner and Greener Transport) Analytical support for Rail Policy Forum


Table 7: Transport Policy

Area (Foundation/Requirement) Task
Safer journeys to school programme (Road Safety Promotion) Analytical support for programme


Table 8: Public Transport Operations

Area (Foundation/Requirement) Task
Translink Sponsor Unit (Climate change, Cleaner and Greener Transport, Including People) Publish Public Transport Statistics
Translink Sponsor Unit (Climate change, Cleaner and Greener Transport, Including People) Analytical support for Public Transport Monitoring Group
Public Transport (Climate change, Cleaner and Greener Transport, Including People) Publish Public Transport and Journey Planning report from the CHS


Table 9: Driving, vehicle and road safety policy division

Area (Foundation/Requirement) Task
Road Safety Strategy (Road Safety Promotion) Publish Road Safety Strategy Statistical Report for 2025
Road Safety Strategy (Road Safety Promotion) Publish two Problem Profile research reports on topics agreed with Business Area
Road Safety Strategy (Road Safety Promotion) Publish analysis of PSNI collision data involving young drivers and motorcyclists (to inform Graduated Driver Licensing)
Road Safety Strategy (Road Safety Promotion) Publish CHS results from the Attitudes to Road Safety question module


Table 10: Regional Planning Governance and Legislation and Regional Planning Policy and Casework

Area (Foundation/Requirement) Task
Planning Improvement (Plan to Improve) Publish quarterly and annual planning activity statistics
Regional Planning (Statutory Requirement) Produce quarterly and annual Statutory Planning Consultations MI report for The Department to publish
Planning Improvement (Plan to Improve) Produce Monthly MI Reports for Planning Authorities and the Department
Planning Improvement (Plan to Improve) Publish Planning Monitoring Framework Statistics
Planning Improvement (Plan to Improve) Analytical Support for Planning Transformation Project
Planning Improvement (Plan to Improve) Analytical support for Planning Improvement Programme


Water and Departmental Delivery

Table 11: Water and Departmental Delivery

Area (Foundation/Requirement) Task
Water and Drainage Policy (Water and Wastewater) Publish Household Water Usage report from the CHS
Sustainable Drainage (Water and Wastewater) Analytical support for Transforming Urban Drainage Pilot Project
Road Safety Promotion (Road Safety Promotion) Ad hoc statistical support
Equality, Public Appointments and Business Support (Including People) Support improved gathering of equality data across the Department
Finance (Including People) Statistics for Budget Consultation EQIAs
Workforce Planning (Including People) Analytical support for workforce planning
Corporate Support (Including People) Analytical advice and support for consultations


NISRA’s Strategic Enablers

NISRA depends on a range of strategic enablers. These are central aspects of NISRA’s operating context which govern its ability to deliver services for users and stakeholders. While ASRB works to deliver for the Department, we will also align how we work with NISRA’s Strategic Enablers. For example, we will progress a new dissemination plan in line with NISRA’s new Dissemination Strategy and User-Focused Dissemination Enabler and we will continue to roll out our Reproducible Analytical Pipelines (RAP) Implementation Plan. Our people are a key strategic enabler and we aim to continue to invest in their skillsets, allowing time and opportunity to avail of training offered or co-ordinated by NISRA, DfI and the NICS.

NISRA's Strategic Enablers


Contact Details

For further information contact Regina McGeown or Martin Devlin
Principal Statisticians ASRB