Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
473. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the staff IT and developer costs accrued in 2018 in relation to the animal health computer system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38539/21]
View answerThe Animal Health Computer System (AHCS) is the primary computer system supporting the Department in managing the disease testing programmes for Tuberculosis (TB), Brucellosis (BR), Bovine Viral Disease (BVD) in cattle and Aujeskey’s disease in pigs.
In total, this system recorded the results of over eight million tests in 2018 and has significantly contributed to administrative efficiencies in the operation of the TB programme and the attainment of Brucellosis-free status. The system manages certain required checks by importing countries to support exports of beef in particular markets. It also supports the Departments’ services to manage major disease outbreaks e.g., Foot and Mouth Disease. Approximately 1,200 Department staff and 1,000 Private Veterinary Practitioners use this system daily.
The costs associated with supporting and managing this critical system in 2018 were –
IT Development and maintenance Costs - €1,259,086.
Staff (IT and Business Coordination) - €584,624
ICT infrastructure and security costs are centrally managed across the full portfolio of computer systems by the ICT Infrastructure Division in the Department. Costs for individual systems are not provided.
