Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

517 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the progress, if any, to date in relation to preparations with the Government generally for the problems that will be created for computer equipment from the advent of the millennium. [22718/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The Government has taken steps to ensure that computer and other office equipment and systems in the Civil Service will not be adversely affected by the year 2000 problem.

In March 1997, each Department and Office was required to ensure that its IT infrastructure, systems and office equipment were year 2000 compliant and to draw up plans for dealing with any non-compliant systems. Investigation and planning work has been completed.

Significant remedial work has been under way for some time in Departments and Offices. Many potential problems have already been eliminated by the replacement of ageing and obsolete computer systems.

An interdepartmental year 2000 monitoring committee, with private sector participation, has been established by the Government to oversee the achievement of year 2000 compliance in the Civil Service. The committee has sought detailed up-to-date information from all Departments and Offices on their year 2000 work programmes, with a view to submitting its first report on progress to the Government in February 1998. The committee will be reporting to the Government on a quarterly basis thereafter.