Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 2

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Alan Shatter

Question:

15 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to ensure that medical equipment and devices in use are year 2000 compatible; the action, if any, which is being taken by his Department to ensure that no threat is posed to public health by medical devices which use computers or software including embedded microchips which are part of or components of devices or non-embedded software used with, or to control, devices or record data from devices or individual software programmes which use or process patient data to reach a diagnosis, aid in therapy or track donors and products upon the commencement of the new millennium; and the Government policy in this regard. [5942/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

My Department's initial response to the problem was to make chief executive officers and management of all health agencies fully aware of the year 2000 issue. My Department is also organising a series of information seminars in relation to the Year 2000 issue and these are being held currently. The Department's policy is to encourage a co-operative effort between health agencies wherever possible.

As this is a unique situation, there are no tried and tested approaches to the problem. Health agencies are heavily dependent on suppliers of systems and equipment in relation to the year 2000 generally and particularly in the area of embedded systems.

Each health agency is addressing the problem from its own perspective and in the way that best suits their own circumstances. Typically, the information technology is being addressed by the management services units while the embedded systems aspect is being addressed by the technical staff, either technical service officers, engineering or medical physics staff as appropriate. Virtually all boards have formal steering committees in place to oversee the necessary remedial action. In the boards that have not, the work is overseen by senior management.

The first step in addressing the problem was to develop an in-depth inventory of systems and equipment. Agencies are required to identify each and every item of equipment in use and assess whether there are any year 2000 implications. Each item on the inventory is prioritised. Then, items are assessed for year 2000 compliance. This work is ongoing.

It is too early to say with certainty when all systems will be compliant. Health agencies are approaching the issue from a business continuity perspective and will be ensuring that systems which pose a threat to public health are addressed on a priority basis. Senior managers are fully aware of the problem and will be working towards compliance for all business critical systems well in advance of the due dates. Health agencies will be expected to be year 2000 ready well in advance of the new millennium.

Government policy on this area is quite clear. The year 2000 issue should not cause any interruption to services which are provided to clients over the period of the coming of the new millenium.