Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I understand the IT spend in 2009 was approximately 0.75% of the budget. By international standards, what is required to meet the targets and be on track? As has been stated by my colleagues, we are behind on this. The HSE is putting in place very good targets but what is required percentage wise when we consider what other countries spend on investing in our IT systems? Mr. Corbridge stated e-prescriptions are coming down the track in the coming months and I ask him to expand on this. With regard to the GP uptake of 40%, what has been the main barrier to date with regard to the slow uptake of e-referrals? Is the HSE leveraging the skills and experience of the ICT industry in progressing this to help it meet its targets and develop the IT systems?