The first report of the decentralisation implementation group sets out a rationale and a recommendation for the public service acquiring space in private sector world- class data centres. It also recommended the establishment of an inter-agency group to progress such a procurement. My Department has established and chairs this group. It comprises senior IT representatives from the large Civil Service Departments and offices and from the justice, health and local authority sectors. It also includes project management experts from the Office of Public Works.
The group is considering all issues associated with such a procurement, including the most appropriate procurement approach, the type of facilities and services required, the technology and telecommunications issues involved, possible contract types, potential location options, ownership, management and operation requirements, and any possible security and sovereignty issues that may arise. These are complex issues by their nature and will take some time to work out in detail. The group is working to reach conclusions by the first quarter of 2005.