Vol. 485 No. 4
69 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the computer programmes in use in her Department currently use a two digit year code or a four digit year code; if it is the former, the steps, if any, being taken to examine each line of computer programme in use in her Department to convert two digit to four digit codes to cope with the identification of the year 2000; and, if so, when this conversion will be complete. [23481/97]
The majority of computer programmes in use in my Department use a four digit year code. However, there are a number of programmes using a two digit year code.
My Department completed a Year 2000 Compliance Plan in August 1997, which identifies the tasks to be carried out and the resources required to have the complete IT infrastructure in the Department compliant by 31 March 1999.
70 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of lines of computer code in use in her Department and in each agency under its aegis. [23496/97]
Most of the systems in my Department are written in fourth generation languages which are mainly "forms based" as opposed to being written in lines of code. There is no significance in the number of lines of code in terms of system performance and consequently the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the Department and would not be possible to compile due to the diversity of systems in the Department.
Similarly, information on lines of code would not be readily available in the agencies under the aegis of my Department either. However, a letter has issued to all agencies under the aegis of my Department requesting that they submit to the Department summaries of their Year 2000 plans by the end of January 1998. It is my intention to have the implementation of these plans monitored.
71 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will give an estimate of the cost of converting and testing computer programmes in use in her Department and in each agency under her aegis for the Year 2000 problem; and the conversion from the punt to the euro. [23513/97]
My Department estimates that the total cost of testing and converting computer programmes in use in the Department for the Year 2000 and for the conversion from the punt to the euro, is £310,000 including VAT.
I understand that the cost of testing and converting computer programmes in use in the agencies under the aegis of my Department for the Year 2000 and for the conversion from the punt to the euro, has not been compiled to date. However, a letter has issued to all agencies under the aegis of my Department requesting that they submit to the Department summaries of their Year 2000 and Euro plans by the end of January 1998. It is my intention to have the implementation of these plans monitored.
72 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the computer programmes in use in his Department currently use a two digit year code or a four digit year code; if it is the former, the steps, if any, being taken to examine each line of computer programme in use in his Department to convert two digit to four digit codes to cope with the identification of the Year 2000; and, if so, when this conversion will be complete. [23487/97]
73 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of lines of computer code in use in his Department and in each agency under its aegis. [23502/97]
75 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will give an estimate of the cost of converting and testing computer programmes in use in his Department and in each agency under his aegis for the Year 2000 problem; and the conversion from the punt to the euro. [23519/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 73 and 75 together.
It is estimated that the number of lines of computer code maintained by my Department is less than 25,000. There are other systems such as licensed computer packages which are in use in the Department where support is provided by the owners of such packages. The code in these systems is not included in the above figure.
The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has only three computer systems developed inhouse where exposure to Year 2000 problems arises. The conversion work required for these systems will be carried out in advance of the Year 2000.
The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources estimates that the costs of converting and testing computer programs (Year 2000 and Euro) is IR£82,000.
Agencies under the aegis of the Department have been asked to examine the impact of the Year 2000/Euro changeover and to advise the Department of the steps necessary to ensure compliance with Year 2000/Euro issues.
