Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Ivan Yates

Question:

102 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has, in conjunction with the State agencies under her aegis, to hold a conference dealing with the year 2000 computer problem; and her Department's approach in conjunction with the relevant State agencies to this issue. [7338/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I do not have any proposals to hold a conference in conjunction with the State agencies under my aegis in relation to the year 2000 problem. All hardware and new software purchased by my Department since 1 January 1997 is the subject of a vendor guarantee that it is year 2000 compliant. The normal system maintenance and projects carried out by my Department should ensure that most of the potentially non-compliant hardware and software will be replaced as a matter of course by the year 2000.

My Department's specific year 2000 programme, therefore, entails: obtaining guarantees from vendors on the compatibility of their software or hardware; obtaining the necessary upgrades and patches to software from vendors; slightly accelerating the Department's maintenance programme and scheduled projects to ensure all hardware and software for which vendors guarantees are not forthcoming are replaced by the year 2000; and implementing the necessary amendments to software which has been written or customised in house.

It is not the intention to rely exclusively on vendor assurances concerning hardware and software. A testing programme is being set up which will be completed by end 1998 and will test a representaive sample of the major hardware and software which is in use in my Department. A survey is also being carried out of departmental office equipment other than IT systems to identify compatibility with year 2000 compliance. All suppliers will be asked to provide a certificate of compliance for each item of equipment.

With respect to the aspects of the Deputy's question which relate to the agencies under my aegis my Department is monitoring the progress these agencies are making in achieving year 2000 compliance, as part of the reporting arrangements that have been put in place by the Government's interdepartmental year 2000 monitoring committee.