Vol. 508 No. 2
58 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the preparations by hospitals and health boards to deal with the millennium computer bug; the hospitals which met his Department's deadline of 31 July 1999 for being year 2000 compliant; the steps, if any, being taken to ensure that all hospitals are compliant well in advance of 31 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18251/99]
Since 1997, my Department has been working with health agencies to ensure year 2000 compliance in the health service. My Department has undertaken an overall role of co-ordinating, assisting, facilitating the sharing of information and monitoring progress. Each health agency has its own year 2000 project structure in place and the year 2000 remediation programme is now drawing to a close. I have authorised expenditure amounting to approximately £25 million for the repair or replacement of non-compliant systems and equipment.
Returns from agencies show that the bulk of the technical remedial work is now complete. However, year 2000 compliance is a complex issue in a health care setting. It involves making all reasonable efforts to ensure that systems and equipment will continue to function normally and adequate contingency plans are put in place as an added assurance. It is also necessary to continue to make staff aware of the issues and this awareness training will continue right up to the millennium changeover itself. Another important aspect of year 2000 preparations in the health service involves planning for the possible increased demand for services over the period. Accordingly, major hospitals were not in a position to complete all preparations by July 1999.
My objectives are to ensure that there is no risk to the health and safety of health service clients and staff and that there is minimal disruption to normal services. I am confident that these objectives will be achieved.
