Vol. 496 No. 6
99 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the arrangements, if any, she has put in place in her Department to offset any adverse effects of the millennium bug; the effects the millennium bug will have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23517/98]
In July 1997 my Department developed a year 2000 plan which identified all of the IT systems and applications in operation in the Department and the action necessary in relation to each to ensure that they are year 2000 compliant. An internal year 2000 monitoring committee was set up with the remit of overseeing progress on the implementation of the year 2000 plan. This committee meets fortnightly to ensure continuous and scheduled progress on the project. Two staff members are dedicated full-time to the year 2000 project and others are assigned as the need arises. My Department has also contracted the services of outside consultants where necessary.
The Deputy will be aware that in September 1997 the Government set up an independent monitoring committee to oversee progress in relation to year 2000 compliance throughout the Civil and Public Service. This committee reports regularly to Government on progress being made within each Department. The year 2000 project for my Department is progressing well and this is borne out in the reports prepared for Government by the monitoring committee. I am confident that the schedules set for implementation of the year 2000 project in my Department are realistic and will be met.
