Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Computer Data Bank.

William Cotter

Question:

218 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Education if he will outline, (a) the type of information concerning post-primary students which is kept on the Department's computer data bank, (b) the way in which this data bank was set up, (c) the purpose for which it was set up, (d) his views on whether it is satisfactory and (e) the name of the contractor involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

(a) The type of information relating to post-primary pupils held on the post-primary pupils' database is as follows: Name, sex, date of birth, nationality, school programme particulars and details of subjects being studied.

(b) The database was developed by a project team consisting of staff from my Department and from the Department of Finance Central Information Technology Services who analysed and designed the system using the methodology and software adopted by my Department for computer development — which are in accordance with approved Civil Service standards.

(c) The post-primary pupils' database was developed for the following purposes: to replace the annual October returns furnished by secondary schools; to replace the annual statistical returns; to replace the entry forms for the Department's certificate examinations; and for the speedy provision of management information for my Department.

(d) I am satisfied that the post-primary pupils' database is a success and has fulfilled the purposes for which it was developed. As this is the first year of operation of the database, the full potential in providing management information has yet to be realised.

(e) As indicated at (b) above, the system was developed by staff from my Department and the Department of Finance. Only three of the 160 or so programmes/modules written for the system were contracted out to two different companies (CORE and QUEST).