asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food 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.
101.
The expenditure on information technology equipment in my Department in the years 1986 to 1988 inclusive was £415,205, £601,049 and £2,224,880 respectively. The projected amount for 1989 is £835,000. The direct computer personnel costs for the same years were £1,088,813, £1,084,996 and £1,119,961 respectively. The projected amount for 1989 is £1,145,814. Consultants were engaged in 1986 for an information technology project at a cost of £25,000 which was borne on the Department of the Public Service Vote. Management grades of my Department are consulted and play an active part in the process of system development. They also make extensive use of ongoing computer facilities at local and head office levels for payment, control and analysis purposes in relation to the various national and EC schemes operated by my Department.