Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Computerisation Programme.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

403 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount her Department spent in 2002 on IT software licences; the amount of that budget which was spent on the products of a company (details supplied); if her Department uses Linux or similar open source software; and if it has a policy position with regard to the promotion and use of such open source software, in the interests of cost savings or the development of a more transparent software industry. [24282/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The amount spent on software licences in 2002 for my Department was approximately €3.76 million. This covered new licences, upgrades and annual maintenance.

The total amount spent on the products in question during 2002 was approximately €400,000. My Department and some of its agencies use Linux and other open-source software.

Software used in my Department is selected through public procurement, which facilitates open competition, best value for money and best fit to requirements. Selection is normally based on total cost of ownership of which licence costs form a part. If a bid is based on open-source software it is evaluated in line with this approach.