asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations contained in a report (details supplied) concerning new technology for Leinster House; if any timetable has been set for the implementation of the recommendations; when the vacant position of systems manager for Leinster House will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Technology.
5.
The key recommendations set out in the report referred to by the Deputy dealt with the introduction of information technology systems to Leinster House in a planned manner over a number of years. The first recommendation was that a detailed plan of action be drawn up for the introduction of new technology. This was done and a comprehensive information technology plan for Leinster House was completed by independent consultants early in 1986. The first priority identified in this detailed plan was the provision of basic office technology and this was provided towards the end of 1986 at a cost of approximately £112,000. This expenditure was preceded by the appointment of an additional officer to the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas in October 1986 to oversee the introduction of the new technology. The primary task in 1987 was to ensure that proper use was made of the hardware and software purchased in 1986 and to prepare for the implementation of further stages of the information technology plan in subsequent years.
Proposals for further significant expenditure in 1988 were put forward and examined in the context of the 1988 Estimate campaign. However, in view of the overriding necessity to reduce public expenditure, it was decided that such proposals would have to be deferred at least until 1989. Accordingly no money for the implementation of further phases of the information technology plan has been included in the 1988 Estimates.
The officer who had been appointed to oversee information technology developments in Leinster House left the Civil Service in October 1987. The question of his replacement and the possible provision of funds in 1989 to implement the next phases of the information technology plan will be considered in the context of the 1989 Estimates campaign.
I take it that, despite a tremendous amount of work and expenditure put into the production of this report in 1983, it has now been sat upon and is not being proceeded with. Is the Minister aware that the whole purpose of this exercise as undertaken by the previous Minister, Deputy John Bruton, was to speed up operations in the House and make it more efficient? Surely the refusal to appoint a replacement for the systems manager is an indication that the Minister is not interested in updating the procedures of this House, which are becoming a laughing stock. The Minister is failing in his duty to proceed with the decisions made in this House in 1983 or 1984.
The first phase was undertaken and the second phase was under way when the officer responsible left. We made the decision not to provide any additional money for further expenditure on information technology in 1988. The question now is what the overall Vote will be for Leinster House in 1987 and will it provide for computerisation. There is nothing for that purpose in 1988.
The systems manager had been appointed and he should have been replaced when he left. It was not a question of additional money but of continuing to implement the decision that had been made by replacing the man who had left.
He left in October 1987. There is little or no point in replacing the officer who left unless provision is made for substantial additional expenditure on information technology in 1989 and later years. Both issues will be considered in the context of the 1989 Estimates.
I will ask the Minister a number of questions together. Would he agree in respect of the existing investment of £112,000 in equipment that the non-availability of in-house expert advice on making the optimum use of that equipment has the effect of devaluing the money already spent? Secondly, would he agree that there are immense continuing savings to be made in the preparation for printing and the printing of the Official Report and Order Papers of this House by use of modern computerised printing techniques and that this cannot be done because we have not an officer to prepare a plan of that kind, which would very quickly save money to the Revenue upon its introduction? Will the Minister confirm that he has received representations from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and from me as an individual Deputy seeking the filling of this post, drawing his attention to evidence from France and other parliaments that savings can be achieved by the application of further technology? Will he agree to look at all those matters very sympathetically indeed in the context of the 1989 Estimates, in view of the fact that long term savings can be made?
The Deputy asked four questions. The answer to the first is no and to the other three is yes.
We would need a computer to figure that out.
I was listening. The Deputy should have been listening too.
(Limerick East): Is the Minister aware that those of us who have given up hope of proper information technology in Leinster House and have decided to supply our own information technology by means of personal computers and word processors have to buy tapes and discs at our own expense? They will not be supplied by this House, although Deputies who are still relying on typewriters are always supplied with their tapes, files and office requisites. Does he not think this is a bit silly if we are moving to information technology?
I know that Deputies are involved in a lot of expenditure for their own purposes without any reimbursement from the Exchequer. I do not know if that is the real issue involved here. The question has been raised and the matter will be considered in the context of the 1989 expenditure review which is ongoing.
What evidence has the Minister for his negative answer to the first question I posed?
I am not going into the evidence. If I had the question I probably would give the answer.
The Minister said he remembered it because he was listening.
I know the question but I do not have the evidence in front of me. The question was whether the money spent was wasted and I replied that it was not.
Will the Minister investigate the possibility that we are not getting full value from our existing equipment in the House because of the absence of a systems manager?
We will have it examined.
Question No. 6.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 6 and I insist on a response to the question.