asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the expenditure in his Department on information technology equipment, on the engagement of consultancy firms for information technology projects and on direct computer personnel staffing costs in each year from 1986 to 1988 inclusive, and the projected amount for 1989; and the extent to which the management grades in his own Department are involved in the development and use of information technology.
Written Answers. - Information Technology.
Expenditure in my Department on information technology for the years mentioned was as follows:
Year |
(1)Equipment |
(2)Consultancy |
Staff Training |
1986 |
£124,055 |
Nil |
5,000 |
1987 |
£302,832 |
22,796 |
9,000 |
1988 |
£349,617 |
26,962 |
9,000 |
(3)1989 |
£225,000 |
Nil |
30,000 |
(1) Includes maintenance costs.
(2) Paid by Department of Finance.
(3) Projected amount.
These amounts include the cost of installing systems in a number of our missions abroad. As there were no extra posts created there was no direct computer personnel staffing costs other than the amount expended on computer training.
Management grades in my Department have been and are involved in the planning, introduction, development and use of information technology with support from the central information technology services of the Department of Finance.