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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

379 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied with the progress towards full year 2000 compliance within his Department and in agencies for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8227/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

381 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied that every public hospital and equipment is year 2000 compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 381 together.

I am satisfied that good progress in relation to year 2000 compliance is being made in regard to systems within my Department and that all systems will be compliant in time.

The task of ensuring year 2000 readiness in the health services is ongoing. All agencies have appropriate teams in place and my Department is co-ordinating and facilitating the effort centrally. I have made arrangements to make necessary funding available. My Department has put a monitoring system in place and my officials meet with the agencies on a regular basis. My objectives are to ensure that there is no threat to health and safety of patients or staff and that there is minimal disruption to services arising from the millennium bug and I am satisfied that these objectives will be met.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

380 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of personnel in his Department working on securing year 2000 compliance within his Department and the bodies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8242/99]

There are currently 11 staff members within the Department of Health and Children spending at least a proportion of their time working on internal issues concerning year 2000 compliance.

With regard to agencies under the aegis of the Department, there are currently three staff working full time, with an additional six personnel spending a proportion of their time on the year 2000 issues.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

382 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of personnel in each health board area appointed to liaise with his Department in relation to year 2000 compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8268/99]

My Department has identified one main liaison person to whom year 2000 correspondence is directed in each health board. My Department is also in regular communication with different disciplines within the boards. As the structure of the individual year 2000 project teams varies somewhat between boards, the precise numbers of personnel will likewise vary but typically the liaison will be with the following personnel: year 2000 liaison officer; year 2000 programme manager for information technology; year 2000 programme manager for medical devices; year 2000 programme manager for estates; and year 2000 programme manager for supply chain.

Health boards are now addressing contingency planning and the planning and management of the services required at the time of the millennium changeover. It is anticipated that a range of individuals from both technical management and service management will be liaising with my Department in relation to these matters.

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