Denis Naughten
Question:8 Mr. Naughten asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to upgrade the information technology systems in the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8593/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Technology Systems.
The plans for information technology in the CSO are based on its IT and data management strategies, published in April and May 1999. These strategies were fully discussed with the centre for management and organisation development of the Department of Finance. They were also discussed with staff interests in two phases and finally agreed in September 2000.
Phase 1 of the IT strategy, which has been completed, concentrated on the establishment of a client-server architecture. This included the roll-out of groupware, Lotus Notes, throughout the organisation which has now facilitated document management and considerably improved internal communications. The CSO is currently upgrading the capacity and security of its network. Preparations are also under way to have this architec ture ready for Internet dissemination by summer of this year.
Phase 2 of the IT strategy has as its main goal the implementation of the data management strategy. The key objective of this is the migration of data from the mainframe to the new client-server environment. The strategy also includes the establishment of corporate data bases and a web-linked dissemination database. The CSO has also implemented a central business register and a classification server.
I am delighted that something is happening in relation to the CSO. Regarding the completion of the plan, will the website be radically overhauled to make it user friendly? Following the overhaul, will the people, particularly from the business community, who feed statistics into the CSO have a system available to them that is similar to the one used by the Revenue Commissioners? This would ensure the large number of man hours currently taken up compiling figures for submission to the CSO is dramatically reduced. Is work being done on developing software for small businesses in particular so that this data can be compiled easily on an ongoing basis and frequently submitted to the CSO? Does the Minister of State agree such a mechanism would ensure a more accurate collation of the figures required?
I agree the chief executive officer has made great strides recently in the IT area. Much effort has been put into that work and additional funding was provided for it recently. I understand the CSO is revamping its website and it will be available by the end of June. This will allow users to download data for further analysis. All CSO releases are placed on the website. The office plans to develop its website and place updated information on it.
While we are all critical of it from time to time, the CSO recently won a five star rating in the state of the net report. The company involved gives awards to websites and it pointed out that the CSO's website was simple but attractively laid out. The CSO has made great strides and it is starting to put resources into that area. I agree that statistics should be available at the click of a mouse button from the CSO directly. A major objective of the office is to ensure that, once it is ready, all the information it has is placed on the website so that people can access it.
I do not dispute that the website is well laid out and I agree that the five star rating is a good assessment from that point of view. However, I am critical of the ability to access and download information. Will the new website ensure that aspect is improved? Are users of the website participating in its overhaul? It is important that users have an input into that process.
Are there plans to develop software and to put systems in place to ensure information can be easily compiled by small businesses? This would enable the information to be submitted easily to the CSO without taking up a large amount of time, as is the case at present. The compilation of this information creates enormous costs for small businesses because of the detail required and the demands placed on them. Does the Minister of State agree the use of information technology would dramatically reduce those difficulties? What action is being taken to implement such changes?
While decentralisation has many merits, does the Minister of State agree the move to Cork resulted in a massive changeover of staff in the CSO? The level now being reached in relation to statistics might have been reached a few years ago if the original office had remained in place.
I welcome the Minister of State's comments because, in common with other Deputies, I use the CSO website. However, the equivalent British site, the US site, Economica, and various other sites give a more in-depth analysis of statistics, for example, in relation to unemployment levels and district electoral divisions. It should be possible to pinpoint unemployment blackspots and the different characteristics of localities. The Dublin Development Board recently produced a detailed statistical report on the four Dublin counties. It is interesting that the statistics were complied by an outside consultant and were not based primarily on national figures.
The website should be fully interactive and small businesses should be able to submit their information. The system should be similar to on-line banking where one can access one's account, send in information and so on. The Revenue Commissioners also have a system where one can submit information provided one has a security code and the information is encrypted. If the CSO had such a system, people could communicate with the CSO through the website and submit information. I assume this is the direction in which the office is headed with respect to its revamped website and I will encourage it to take that route.
A website that is not interactive in that sense is only half a website. One can communicate with an office only via e-mail and that is probably not satisfactory in this area. A more structured interactive website that accepts information with secure codes would mean that people would not have to fill in many forms. I intend to press the CSO to take that direction, but I would be surprised if it was not intending to take that route.
The move to Cork did not have a major bearing on the CSO's policies and plans. It was not a factor. I have not visited the office in Cork, but I visited the office in Rathmines recently. I was greatly impressed by the staff's enthusiasm and determination to continue to modernise the organisation. The workforce there is remarkably young and the staff are all extremely enthusiastic, bright and intelligent. We are fortunate to have them.
Will the Minister of State give a commitment in the context of any future programmes that the users of the website and small businesses who compile the data are an integral part of the consultation and implementation processes because that is fundamental?
I agree and I will do that.