Gay Mitchell
Ceist:206 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the measures, if any, taken to inform householders of the problems associated with the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22358/99]
Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.
The Government has pursued a four-strand approach to managing the year 2000 issue. Since 1996, Departments and public bodies have concentrated on remedying the problem in computer systems, equipment and plant and practically all critical business and service delivery computer systems are now year 2000 compliant or very nearly so. Since the beginning, of 1999, the focus has been on preparing business continuity and contingency plans for all business-critical operations in the Civil and public Services. The focus is now on the co-ordination arrangements needed between the key sectors and the Government set up a National Year 2000 Emergencies Co-ordination Committee in September 1999, which I chair, to oversee and co-ordinate the year 2000 contingency preparations of the key national utility, health, security financial and business sectors so as to mitigate potential disruptions from year 2000 related incidents and/or millennium celebrations. As the so-called millennium bug problem could potentially impact on businesses which rely on computers and electronic production systems rather than households or household appliances, a comprehensive business awareness campaign is under way under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to raise awareness of the problem and provide guidance on solving it. The campaign includes a guide which issued to 150,000 businesses nationwide, seminars, a national Y2K information service for business, free of charge, and TV and radio advertising campaigns.
In addition, each of the key sectors involved in the provision of services to the public are providing information to their customers. The banking sector is running a publicity campaign on money and the millennium. The key public utilities, road, rail and air services, gas, electricity, postal, telecommunications and broadcasting services are also engaged in publicity campaigns. The emergencies co-ordination committee is currently reviewing the various sectoral public information campaigns and arrangements with a view to determining what overall co-ordination arrangements might be put in place. The committee will decided on the actions necessary at its next meeting.
I am satisfied that the necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure that in the event that any problems arise, they will be dealt with as quickly as possible so that there will be minimum disruption to services.