Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

279 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in ensuring that each agency within his remit is year 2000 compliant; the cost of work done so far; the estimated cost of full compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11787/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

My Deparment's overall policy objective in relation to the year 2000 issue is that health agencies ensure that there are no adverse effects or interruption to services which are provided to health service clients with the advent of the new millennium.

In addressing the issue of year 2000 my Department has, to date, taken a range of measures. As a first step the chief executive officers and management of all health agencies were fully advised of the issue and requested to nominate staff to liaise with the Department. This advice was followed up with information seminars which considered the year 2000 problem for the health service in general, and in particular, its implications in relation to information technology and medical devices. It is intended that further information seminars will be held. My Department has instructed health agencies to accord high priority to the year 2000 problem and will shortly issue guidelines to each health agency which will provide a recommended approach to dealing with the problem. Allied to the foregoing, my Department monitors progress within the health agencies on an ongoing basis.

Due to the nature of the year 2000 problem, health agencies are not yet in a position to establish accurate estimates of the total cost of dealing with the problem. To date, much of the work relating to year 2000 within agencies has been of an investigative and action planning nature undertaken by health agency staff as part of their normal duties. However, I have allocated an additional £5 million to the 1998 capital programme to assist with the year 2000 problem. Funding requirements will be kept under continuing review.