Since 1997, my Department has been working with health agencies to ensure year 2000 compliance in the health service. My Department has undertaken an overall role of co-ordinating, assisting and facilitating the sharing of information and monitoring progress. Each health agency has its own year 2000 project structure in place and the year 2000 remediation programme is now drawing to a close. To date, I have authorised expenditure amounting to approximately £25 million for the repair or replacement of non-compliant systems and equipment.
At this stage, agencies are completing the technical aspects of their compliance programmes and I am confident that all necessary work will be completed in good time. However, best practices in this field also demand the development and testing of contingency plans as an added guarantee. Accordingly, agencies are in the process of developing and testing comprehensive contin gency plans, which will be put into effect in the event of a problem arising.
My objectives are to ensure there is no risk to the health and safety of health service clients and staff and that there is minimal disruption to normal services. I am confident these objectives can be achieved.