Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2007
920 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of databases used by his Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within his Department. [34241/07]
View answerAll databases and other electronic file storage and retrieval systems used by my Department are operated by Departmental staff or by contractors working directly with the Department on its IT network.
921 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2004 that have been delivered over budget, after their original deadline, on budget, under budget, on their original deadline and ahead of their original deadline; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [34256/07]
View answerMy Department has undertaken a number of internal information technology projects since 2004. They include routine upgrades of software and hardware to ensure the Department's capability to meet performance and security requirements. Moreover, the addition of agencies to my Department's shared IT service, and the movement of staff and agencies between locations as decentralisation progresses, have also identified a need to ensure that their IT systems are appropriately maintained and, in some instances, enhanced to meet business needs. These projects are individually short term but, due to the rapidly expanding nature of the Department's remit, can vary in scope from year to year, in part depending on the budget available.
Projects designed to deliver services to the public are:
AISIP (integrated asylum and immigration project) which is within acceptable time parameters and within budget
AVATS (Automated visa system) which went live in November within an acceptable timeframe and within budget. Both of these projects are fixed price.
New websites for the Department and INIS which went live on time and slightly over budget.
The Department is also participating with An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service on a Pilot Project on Criminal Justice Integration which, because of its inherent complexity, is taking longer than anticipated but is broadly in line with the budget set aside for it.
