I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 381 together.
I am satisfied that good progress in relation to year 2000 compliance is being made in regard to systems within my Department and that all systems will be compliant in time.
The task of ensuring year 2000 readiness in the health services is ongoing. All agencies have appropriate teams in place and my Department is co-ordinating and facilitating the effort centrally. I have made arrangements to make necessary funding available. My Department has put a monitoring system in place and my officials meet with the agencies on a regular basis. My objectives are to ensure that there is no threat to health and safety of patients or staff and that there is minimal disruption to services arising from the millennium bug and I am satisfied that these objectives will be met.