Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
466
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
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.
[8229/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
467
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
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.
[8244/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 467 together.
My Department has been working on the year 2000 compliance project since 1996.
A target of first quarter of 1999 was set to achieve compliance for all of the central IT applications supporting the critical day to day administration of the various benefit payment schemes. This target will be met.
All of the software products used to develop IT applications, and to run those applications, have been upgraded and are now certified as being compliant. All networked PCs have been upgraded for compliance where necessary.
Assurances regarding year 2000 compliance have been received from all suppliers to the Department of critical non-IT equipment that might contain an embedded system.
All internal network components will be compliant by July 1999. Assurances have been sought from external organisations with computer links to my Department regarding the compliance of their IT infrastructures.
Full application integration testing with organisations with whom this Department exchanges electronic data is well under way and on target for completion by July 1999.
Compliance work will continue on a very small number of residual and less critical IT applications. Work is also proceeding on preparation of a contingency plan for the change of year period.
My Department has been monitoring the year 2000 compliance progress in the three bodies under the aegis of the Department – Combat Poverty Agency, National Social Services Board and Pensions Board. It is expected that compliance will have been achieved for all three by May 1999.
This has been one of the largest projects ever undertaken in my Department. Most of the Department's IT staff of 280 will have contributed either directly or indirectly to the project by its conclusion date.
Some will have been engaged on the project on a full time basis over its three year duration. Others will have moved in and out of the project to cover specific aspects.
Some 50 non-IT staff in various locations around the country will also have worked on the project, carrying out extensive testing of the changes made to the applications to achieve compliance.
