Vol. 499 No. 2
63 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) to the effect that Dublin city's water supply is seriously threatened by the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the effect of this problem on water supplies. [27439/98]
Responsibility for the security of water supplies rests with the local authorities. In order to ensure that local auth orities are aware of the risks posed to their services by year 2000 compliance problems and to give them guidance and assistance in dealing with them, the Local Government Computer Services Board wrote to each local authority in April 1997 advising them of the need to set up special groups to deal with the issue and to carry out an inventory of systems.
The LGCSB has continued to provide advice and assistance to local authorities on the Year 2000 issue and has set up user groups and web support. A special working group has also been put in place to deal with the critical area of water and sewerage plants. The working group is monitoring the progress of year 2000 remedial work in the local authorities to ensure that all systems are made compliant. The LGCSB was also recently appointed a team of international consultants who have specific expertise in relation to water systems. These consultants will provide expert assistance to the local authorities.
Individual local authorities have also engaged consultants to assist in their year 2000 preparations. Dublin Corporation, for instance, have engaged the computer company, Bull Integras, to undertake a full systems analysis of compliance requirements for the Ballymore Eustace works and other critical water and sewerage systems.
My Department will be closely monitoring progress in this area over the coming months.
