Jennifer Banim has been named the new director general of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), becoming the first female to hold this position since the agency’s establishment in 1949. Previously serving as the assistant director general responsible for economic statistics, Ms Banim succeeds Pádraig Dalton, who retired from his civil service role this week.
Her promotion came about as a result of a comprehensive senior-level selection process and she was nominated by the Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris and President Micheal D Higgins. Ms Banim has been contributing to the CSO’s executive board since 2013 and she initially joined the agency as a statistician in 1991. Throughout her time at the CSO, she has contributed to various areas such as financial statistics and balance of payments, technology, and statistical methodology.
Ms Banim views the CSO as a reliable and autonomous source of knowledge that plays a crucial role in a democratic and enlightened society. In its 75th year, the CSO has managed to build a robust bond with the Irish people based on its principles of impartiality, confidentiality, quality, and integrity,” she stated. Ms Banim is eager to guide the CSO and its dedicated team in its ongoing service to the Irish community.