Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

In general, I have an open mind in respect of this matter. If it is possible for the Department to use electronic means of operating in order to save money, that is fine provided the proper safeguards are put in place. However, the Department has not distinguished itself in the context of adopting modern technologies. In the past, it proved to be incapable of even collecting the PPS numbers of landlords. At that stage, we were informed that the relevant form was set out in a certain way which could not be changed and that the computer system could not cope with it as a result.

In several reports relating to fraud and overpayments within the Department, the Comptroller and Auditor General made the point that one of the main reasons for the latter is that while the Department has a great deal of information at its disposal in respect of the circumstances of different claimants and their families, the relevant systems cannot communicate with each other. The Department has the information but it does not necessarily possess the technology that will allow it to use this properly. In light of the Department's poor performance in respect of such technology, I would be sceptical with regard to the proposal to allow people to sign on or whatever by way of mobile telephone.

The Minister referred to a system which could recognise people's voices and identify whether they were in the country. The theory behind that is fine but I find it difficult to believe that the Department would be in a position to operate such a system. I do not have a closed mind about this matter. If it can be done and if the system is secure, then well and good. However, I am concerned that in light of the pressure on budgets, the Minister is trying to save money in the context of staff resources and that, in doing so, the Department would ease up in respect of putting the proper controls in place.

Amendment No. 6 proposes that the new system should be put on trial on a limited basis for a specified period and that its effectiveness should then be assessed and evaluated. The amendment also proposes that the new system should be introduced on a pilot basis and that, following a period of two years, the performance of the Department's controls relating to the tackling of fraud and overpayments would be reviewed. I suggest that the Department should try out the new technology but that it should tread carefully in doing so.

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