Vol. 491 No. 3
170 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in ensuring that each agency within his remit is year 2000 compliant; the cost of work done so far; the estimated cost of full compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/98]
The Department has drawn up a plan to ensure that it is year 2000 compliant by the end of 1999. This plan covers all IT hardware and software along with other office equipment and plant. The plan includes the following: an inventory of all hardware and software in the Department, close contact with suppliers, on-site testing and replacement/upgrading of any non compliant hardware or software. Work on implementation of the plan is currently under way. Within the Department two committees have been set up to monitor and oversee progress — one relating to the Department itself and the other to the agencies under the aegis of the Department, such as National Committee for Development Education, Refugee Agency, Agency for Personal Service Overseas and Irish Aid Advisory Committee.
The plan was submitted to the Interdepartmental Year 2000 Monitoring Committee in December 1997 and a quarterly report was made in April 1998.
It is difficult to estimate the full cost of compliance given that most of the Department's systems/hardware would have been due for upgrade in any event. Excluding any such upgrades/replacements, which will, of course, be year 2000 compliant, the estimated cost of specific year 2000 related activity is £195,000.
