Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for his Department’s internal ICT Strategy 2020-2025; the capital, current and total Budget 2022 allocation for his Department’s internal ICT Strategy 2020-2025; the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4488/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2023 budget allocation for core ICT services in my Department in 2023 is €5,173,000. The equivalent allocation for 2022 was €4,173,000. The 2023 allocation represents an increase of €1 million on the 2022 allocation, or 24%. The additional allocation is to fund a significant increase in business systems development activity in 2023, as well as to meet more general cost increases. The increase in business systems development addresses a number of goals in my Department’s ICT Strategy 2020-2025.
However, it should be noted that the totality of spending on ICT service delivery in my Department is greater than this core ICT service allocation. Each of the Offices under the aegis of my Department has its own budget allocation, and some of those funds are allocated to ICT business systems development and maintenance. Those Offices are the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court, the Companies Registration Office, and the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. This approach to funding allows the budget of each Office to be more reflective of the total cost of service delivery. This spend can vary from year to year, depending on the timing of individual initiatives. When this additional spend is taken into account, the total spend on the delivery of ICT services in my Department in 2021 was €7,035,672. The data in respect of 2022 is currently being compiled.
