Vol. 472 No. 7
78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the use of computerisation in his Department; his views on the trends and developments in the area of computers; the anticipated developments in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24113/96]
My Department is committed to achieving ongoing improvements in efficency and effectiveness through the use of information technology to support its business objectives and priorities in line with its current IT Plan and SMI Strategy Statement. To this end staff are provided with a wide range of software products, both off the shelf and in-house developed, to assist them in carrying out their work. The software is operated on a network of personal computers, linked by a communications infrastructure which connects all the buildings in which the Department's staff are located. Extensive use is made of information technology in all areas of the Department, including my own office, where it assists in the operation of a range of functions such as tracking of correspondence and Government memoranda and decisions and the work of the press office.
The use of information technology to support the work of my Department will continue to increase over the next few years. In particular, there will be extended use of software to facilitate more efficient team working and to improve the management of information within the Department.
