Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Computer Purchases.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

53 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his response to the criticism made in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding computer equipment and software purchased by his Department at a cost of £372,000 which proved to be unsuitable and was never used; if any changes have been introduced with regard to purchasing procedures to ensure that such errors do not occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

The purchase of the computer equipment followed standard Government purchasing procedures. For a variety of reasons it did not prove to be fully satisfactory.

The Deputy will be aware that computer equipment went through a period of rapid change in the 1980s. The equipment purchased did not prove compatible with subsequent and more up-to-date equipment purchased as part of an overall computerisation development plan for the Department. It was found on investigation that the cost of making the equipment compatible was not warranted.

While the use of the equipment for its original purposes was limited in the circumstances, it was used for a variety of other more modest purposes.

All computer equipment now being purchased conforms fully with the Department's computerisation plan and must meet the EC standards and specifications which form part of that plan.