I refer the Deputy to my composite reply of 23 March 1999 in which I dealt, inter alia, with the Y2K compliance of the agencies under the aegis of the Department. In my reply I stated my understanding that all agencies under the aegis of the Department – the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, the Refugee Agency, the National Committee for Development Education and the Irish Aid Advisory Committee – had completed their projects and were Y2K compliant. However, as of 20 April only the IAAC has declared itself fully compliant.
It has now been clarified that, although the other agencies are substantially in compliance, some minor work remains to be completed in order that they may be in a position formally to declare themselves fully compliant. In the case of APSO the IT system has been replaced and, I understand, is fully Y2K compliant. APSO is awaiting clarification on its compliance status relative to one element of its non-IT equipment. In the case of the Refugee Agency all IT equipment and plant, apart from one piece of software, which requires a minor upgrade, are compliant. In the case of the NCDE all necessary hardware has been procured and is expected to be installed shortly and a single item of non-IT equipment needs replacement. It is expected that all agencies will be in a position to declare themselves fully Y2K compliant by June.
I shall be happy to advise the Deputy when the declarations are made.