Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Euro Changeover.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

171 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Taoiseach the extent to which his Department is prepared for the introduction of the euro; if he will ensure that the replies to future parliamentary questions show all monetary values in euros and pounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21890/01]

The Taoiseach:

Preparations for the introduction of the euro in the Department of the Taoiseach are well advanced. The Department's euro changeover plan was prepared in March 2000 and has been revised on a number of occasions. The plan identifies changeover tasks and the divisions which are responsible for those tasks on a quarterly basis with effect from 1 January 2000. The Department's finance office reports on a quarterly basis to the Management Advisory Committee on progress made in the changeover to the euro.

The Department is represented by the finance officer on the single currency officers' team, commonly known as SCOT, which oversees the euro changeover in the public service. The finance unit provides regular updates of development at SCOT to the associated bodies. A euro changeover group, representing all divisions within the Department, meets regularly to ensure that progress is made in implementing the Department's euro changeover plan. The Department and associated bodies are relatively small in overall public service terms. However, there is still a range of important issues that must be considered, as follows: money flows – inwards and outwards: with very few exceptions, inward money flows are processed through the Department's finance unit. The amounts involved are relatively small. All money flows outwards are processed through the finance unit. The Department administers grant-in-aid to the NESC and NESF, respectively. These bodies have prepared their own changeover plans in consultation with the Department. The newly established National Centre for Partnership and Performance is currently preparing a changeover plan. Cash handling: the only cash handling relates to a small amount of petty cash, which is managed by the finance unit. Information technology: the conversion of IT systems represents the main challenge. The Department operates the following categories of IT system: financial management system, FMS. This is the core financial system in use by the Department. The Department has elected to convert static data, historic data will not be converted. The year end procedure in the finance unit will involve the closure of the Irish punt database and the conversion and transfer of balances to a new euro FMS database. Testing of the conversion procedure commenced in mid July and it is expected that it will be finalised by mid-October. Office automation software and IT infrastructure: the majority of personal computers have had euro patches installed. Servers and personal computers are being upgraded to Windows 2000 during October/November and as part of this process all personal computers will be revisited to ensure that they are euro compliant. An audit of non-IT office equipment has identified one item of equipment which will require upgrading to ensure euro compliance. Suppliers and Customers: the Department has received replies from 21 key suppliers confirming that they have euro changeover plans in place. Staff education and training: briefings for staff will be held during the remainder of 2001 on the introduction of the euro. Staff payroll and pensions: the Department's payroll service is provided by the Department of Finance, which uses the Core pay system. Associated bodies and offices: the finance unit maintains regular contact with the bodies under the Department's aegis. The last meeting was held on 25 September 2001. The planning for the euro is proceeding satisfactorily. The National Centre for Partnership and Performance is currently preparing a euro changeover plan.

I have asked my Department to arrange that, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, between now and 1 January 2002, and for a reasonable period thereafter, all monetary values in replies to parliamentary questions will be shown in euro and Irish pounds.