Vol. 502 No. 3
430 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is satisfied with the progress towards full year 2000 compliance within his Department and in agencies for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8228/99]
431 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of personnel in his Department working on securing year 2000 compliance within his Department and the bodies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8243/99]
433 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made in ensuring year 2000 compliance by bodies under the aegis of his Department not covered by the Local Government Computer Services Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/99]
434 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the amount of money spent by the Local Government Computer Services Board in ensuring year 2000 compliance within local government; if he is satisfied with the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 431, 433 and 434 together.
My Department has had a year 2000 remedial programme in place for over 18 months. This programme is progressing satisfactorily and it is expected that all critical systems in the Department will be compliant within the July deadline required by Government.
While my Department does not have a specialist team dealing full time with the year 2000 problem, the remedial programme demands significant input from most officers in the Department's IT unit. In addition, consultants have been engaged to assist with particular aspects of the programme.
Bodies under the aegis of my Department are reporting progress with their remedial programmes to the Department every two months. The number of bodies being monitored by the Department is 51, comprising 34 local authorities and 17 other bodies. Reporting and monitoring of local authorities is being co-ordinated through the Local Government Computer Services Board. All other bodies are reporting progress directly to my Department.
Most local authorities are reporting very good progress in their information technology remedial work. The area of "embedded systems" continues to be the principal cause for concern. These systems are used in water supply, sewage works and traffic control. In order to assist local authorities in this area, a firm of consultants, specialising in the compliance of embedded systems, has been engaged. Taking this into account and the vigorous efforts being made by local authorities throughout the country, I am satisfied that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that remedial work will be completed in the time remaining.
432 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is satisfied that there will be no disruption to the nation's water supply as a result of the year 2000 problems, particularly in view of a newspaper article (details supplied); the problems, if any, in the Dublin area which have been overcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8262/99]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 63 of 28 January 1999, which outlines the general position in relation to the measures being taken to assist local authorities in dealing with the year 2000 issue. Since then, my Department has received progress reports from individual local authorities and these indicate that, in general, remedial programmes are on schedule. In particular, the Dublin authorities have all indicated that their remedial programmes are on schedule.
