asked the Minister for Social Welfare 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. - Technology Information.
107.
The expenditure from 1986 to 1988 and the projected amounts for 1989, on information technology equipment and support, on the engagement of consultancy firms for information technology projects, and on direct computer personnel staffing costs is given below.
|
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
1989 |
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
Information Technology Equipment |
4.503 |
5.115 |
4.732 |
3.660 |
|
Consultancy |
.463 |
.480 |
.828 |
.845 |
|
Staff Costs |
1.230 |
1.770 |
2.080 |
2.359 |
Management staff at all grades play an active part in the development and use of information technology. Management within the Department's computer division have responsibility for the acquisition of computer and telecommunications equipment, for the development of computer systems, for the day to day maintenance and operation of these systems and for the management of consultants where they are engaged. Management in the various administrative sections of the Department play an equally important role in identifying business needs, defining scope of computer systems, and in planning and implementing the transition to computerised systems.