Vol. 497 No. 2
51 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the rate of loss of experienced IT staff from his Department and the implications this phenomenon has for his Department's ability to deal successfully with the year 2000 problem. [24367/98]
The annual rate of loss of experienced information technology, IT, staff from my Department is currently running close to 20 per cent. National and indeed global shortages of people with IT skills, coupled with the current buoyant state of the Irish economy, are contributing in no small way to these losses.
In anticipation of a high rate of staff turnover, my Department embarked on the year 2000 project early to ensure that the change of date problems are addressed in good time. More than 90 per cent of the work needed to make the computer software Year 2000 compliant is now complete. All Year 2000 work, including testing of computer interfaces with external organisations and replacement of network components, is scheduled for completion in mid 1999.
The erosion of IT skills is, however, a cause for concern for my Department and for other Departments which are heavily reliant on IT systems. Possible measures to address this issue are being considered on a Civil Service wide basis at present. While top priority continues to be given to the Year 2000 project, the capacity to undertake other critical projects is decreasing.
