Brendan Howlin
Question:91 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures, if any, she has implemented to prevent the so called year 2000 computer time bomb imposing costs on Irish business. [12138/98]
Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.
It is a matter for each individual business and other users of computer systems to assess the implications of the year 2000 on their particular systems and to determine the solution. There is no way of preventing or avoiding the costs associated with solving this serious problem. The level of cost and the economic impact in any particular case will totally depend, on the extent of the problem within each business. It is important however, that Irish businesses urgently address this complex issue, as the cost of ignoring this problem could ultimately be far greater than the cost of solving the problem immediately.
Government can only help in raising awareness of this issue and by providing guidelines to businesses to assist them in tackling the problem.
Over 100,000 copies of an awareness leaflet on the year 2000 computer problem, prepared by our Department in June 1997, with the assistance of Forfás and IBEC, have been distributed to industry, chambers of commerce, professional bodies, State agencies and county and city enterprise boards, throughout the country. This leaflet suggests initial steps to be taken to enable industry's IT systems deal with the date change.
Some recent research on the year 2000 problem has indicated that while there is a high level of awareness of the problem the level of action to deal with the problem, particularly among SMEs, still falls below what is urgently required. Accordingly, on 6 May last, I launched a further awareness campaign, with which I am personally constantly involved. A further and more comprehensive brochure outlining the nature and implications of the problem and giving advice on how to go about dealing with it has been circulated to businesses, both directly and indirectly, through industrial development agencies, county and city enterprise boards, chambers of commerce and other professional bodies. I arranged to have copies of this brouchure circulated to all Deputies and Senators. In addition, a series of regional public meetings are being held, to highlight awareness of the problem and, in particular, the urgency of the need to address the issue immediately.
Our Department and myself have also had discussions with representatives of the financial sector, the insurance industry, the accountancy bodies and various other professionals, both national and international, including the IT sector, to seek their assistance in highlighting the need for Irish businesses to take immediate action. These interests have agreed to support the Government's campaign and I have established a national steering committee representing a range of relevant business organisations and State agencies to oversee the campaign and implement it at the level of their constituent membership.