Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Information Technology.

John McGuinness

Question:

318 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to encourage individuals and private companies to deal with his Department by the use of information technology; the schemes, if any, in place to grant aid or assist education in the use of information technology in the day to day dealings of his Department; the advancement, if any, in his Department's plans in relation to conducting business by e-commerce; and the initiatives, if any, being taken in this regard. [27654/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Department of Health and Children has an active presence on the world wide web — www. doh. ie — and has extensive inquiries from both home and abroad on a variety of health related issues. In addition, nearly all staff have access to Internet mail and computer based facsimile both of which are used for communications with outside organisations including private individuals and companies. My Department does not have any role in the specific provision of grant aid for education in relation to the use of information technology. In relation to e-commerce, my Department has not formulated specific plans appropriate to health administration at this stage but would hope to take advantage of any opportunities available from this technology in the future.