Gerry O'Sullivan
Ceist:11 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline his plans for extending computerisation of his Department's services in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Computerisation.
All the major schemes and services in my Department have been computerised. All claims and payments are currently processed with computer assistance, with the exception of some of my Department's local offices.
The unemployment payment schemes are administered through a network of local offices and the installation of country-wide telecommunications network is a fundamental requirement for the computerisation of these payments. A major project to provide such a network is underway. At present some 100 offices of the Department around the country, including 36 employment exchanges, have been linked to the computer systems. It is planned to link up the remaining employment exchanges during the course of this year. This will allow the progressive implementation of computerised systems at local offices, for example, unemployment payments processing system, and the local in-putting of medical certificates for disability benefits purposes. It will also allow speedy access to claim and payment information on the Department's computerised information system and thus provide a better service to members of the public at local level.
I am also considering extending the links which my Department already have with health boards and FÁS. Linkages will also be provided to most, possibly all, locations where the public come into direct contact with social welfare officials around the country. These developments will be completed by 1991 or early in 1992.
This programme of computerisation will provide the framework for the development of services at a local level so that my plans for one-stop-shop facilities for clients can be fully implemented.
I thank the Minister for his reply. In welcoming his plans for extending computerisation may I ask him if he would not agree that social assistance payments merit serious attention in that there appears to be dupication between the Department of Social Welfare and the health board? Can he tell us if he has any plans to increase the number of people working in the field and to extend computerisation to these payments?
Our assistance schemes have been computerised. I think the Deputy is referring to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is being operated by the health boards. Currently, I am trying to improve the links which my Department already have with the health boards and FÁS which are not under my direct control, as the Deputy understands. Rapid progress has been made over the past two or three years for the simple reason I have concentrated on this matter. We are now in a position to discuss with people ways by which we can link up with them if they have the necessary computer facilities. What the Deputy is looking for will be done in the not-too-distant future.
Would the Minister not agree that those who need the service most are those looking for assistance?
That is the reason we included those who are in receipt of assistance. The Deputy is speaking about agencies over which I have no control. They are under the aegis of the Department of Health. I am working on ways by which we can extend our links with them but if they do not have the necessary computer facilities we will not be able to link up with them. At present they are developing these. We are also trying to regularise and standardise the payments as much as possible so that there is no infringement on the supplementary welfare area. One example would be the fuel scheme.
In his reply the Minister referred to a number of agencies with whom his Department are considering extending their links. Are any efforts being made to link up with the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners? Second, is the Minister aware that the extension of computerisation which allowed decentralisation to take place to such centres as Sligo has also led to substantial communication problems? Can he tell us if he plans to ameliorate his problem by providing a free telephone service?
The Deputy is extending the scope of the question.
That is a separate question. I think there is another question down on that matter today. This system is working very efficiently and effectively. At present we are working with the Revenue Commissioners with regard to RSI numbers and this should prove productive.