Vol. 502 No. 3
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Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999
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Written Answers. - Computerisation Programme.
138 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the progress towards full year 2000 com pliance within his Department and in agencies for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8221/99]
139 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of personnel with 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. [8236/99]
140 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that State agencies (details supplied) are year 2000 compliant; the costs incurred in securing compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8271/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 139 and 140 together.
My Department and the agencies under its aegis are advancing their action programmes to address the year 2000 compliance issues for IT systems, office equipment and other plant with a view to achieving early compliance.
I can report considerable progress with the Department's programme. All systems and equipment at the various offices and locations have been identified and their assessment in terms of whether or not they comply is virtually complete. All operating systems have been upgraded and non-compliant servers have been replaced. Work has commenced on the installation of upgraded communications links between Dublin offices and remote locations for completion in early April, 1999. Outside expertise has been obtained to test and modify PCs for completion by the end of April 1999. The Department aims to replace any non-compliant items of non-IT equipment, mostly fax machines and photocopiers, by the end of May 1999.
The Department has an additional budget of £330,000 during 1999 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.
My Department is in communication with the various agencies under its aegis regarding the level of preparedness for the year 2000. The responses received all 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. The costs incurred and the numbers of staff employed by the bodies under the aegis of the Department in ensuring full compliance is a matter for each individual agency.
