Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Computer Programmes.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

129 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements, if any, he has put in place in his Department to offset any adverse effects of the millennium bug; the effects the millennium bug will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23519/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Within the Department two committees have been set up to monitor and oversee progress on achieving year 2000 compliance. One relates to the Department itself and the other to the agencies under the aegis of the Department, that is the National Committee for Development Education, the Refugee Agency, the Agency for Personal Service Overseas and the Irish Aid Advisory Committee.

The Department, in common with other Departments, has established a plan to ensure that it is year 2000 compliant by the end of 1999. This plan covers all IT hardware and software along with other office equipment and plant. The plan includes the following: an inventory of all hardware and software in the Department, close contact with suppliers, on-site testing and replacement-upgrading of any non-compliant hardware or software. The plan was submitted to the Interdepartmental Year 2000 Monitoring Committee in December 1997 and updated status reports are submitted to this committee every two months.

Work to date includes the completion of inventories and the certification of certain systems as year 2000 compliant. In the context of the Department's quality customer care strategy, the remedial work required for the Passport Office is well under way. Work to ensure the continuity of internal services such as word processing, e-mail, financial and personal management systems etc., is progresssing.

Progress on the implementation of the plan is being closely monitored in conjunction with the Year 2000 Monitoring Committee to ensure that the necessary work will be completed in good time. With the implementation of the Department's plan in 1999, it is expected that full year 2000 compliance will be achieved and that, therefore, no adverse effects of any significance will be experienced by the Department.