Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

98 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extent of his Department's preparedness for the year 2000 problem, including agencies for which he is responsible; the amount of money contained in this year's Departmental Estimates for dealing with the problem; the number of additional staff taken on to assist year 2000 work including any outside consultants involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I have tasked my Department and the agencies to put in place action programmes to address the year 2000 issue for IT systems, office equipment and other plant. The Department is progressing a year 2000 compliance programme with the aim of achieving compliance by mid-1999. Similar programmes are being progressed by our agencies. My overriding priority is to ensure that the key business functions of the Department and its agencies will continue without disruption of service to our key customers.

The Department's programme includes finalising its inventory of IT systems and plant and equipment, assessment of compliance of identified systems, project scheduling and work prioritisation to achieve compliance. Timetables for the assessment and testing of the most critical systems to avoid any interruption to the Department's business have been drawn up.

The Department has advertised for the supply of operating systems, hardware and backup solutions with a view to having the remedies achieved my mid-January. The following is the schedule of programme compliance currently being progressed:

31 December 1998 — commence testing of systems critical to business; advertise for outside expertise to test and modify PCs.

31 January 1999 — installation of upgrades to systems; replacement of non-compliant hardware.

February-March 1969, advertise for upgrading of software packages.

My Department has written to all bodies under its aegis, both in November 1997 and again September 1998, requesting information on the level of work required in order to ensure year 2000 compliance. The responses received indicate a high level of awareness of the issues concerned and show that appropriate action is being taken to ensure timely compliance of relevant IT systems.

During 1998 all costs involved in preparing for the year 2000 problem are being met from within the existing budget for IT expenditure. An additional budget of £300,000 is being provided during 1999 specifically to address expected additional expenses related to the issue.

Four additional staff, including one specialist employed on a consultancy basis, have been assigned to the Department's IT unit to upgrade the Department's IT capability generally including year 2000 compliance requirements.