108 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the guidelines in place for regulating the type of material placed on his departmental websites; the further guidelines to regulate the links included on the website; and if the guidelines in this regard include party political or commercial material. [14021/00]
Written Answers. - Departmental Websites.
As part of the information service offered by my Department a website was established in 1996. The contents of the site include a guide to social welfare services and rates of payment, PRSI information, all our booklets and leaflets, application forms, press releases, contact addresses, and details of changes affecting social welfare services arising from budget 2000. It also includes a section about the Department, the Minister and senior staff.
The website conforms to the recommended guidelines of the inter-departmental group on web publication for public sector organisations. This group was set up as part of the recommendations from the Information Society Commission.
Links available from the Department's website include the National Social Service Board, FÁS, Combat Poverty Agency, Area Development Management, the Information Society Commission, the Government of Ireland and the Citizens Information Database. In addition there are also related links to other Government and social security sites worldwide.