Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I indicated, my Department does not run the information technology systems operating in all the Departments and State agencies. This is done by in-house administrative services. My Department provides a support system. I established the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. All public bodies have been made aware of the deadline and have been working to limit any exposure in advance of the April 2014 deadline. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has engaged with the agencies which have sought its support and assistance and has engaged with Microsoft to ensure all agencies experience as little risk as possible. Departments and agencies have a choice of either signing up to the memorandum of understanding or upgrading their systems in advance of the deadline. My Department and others have decided to upgrade in advance of the date, while others will avail of the memorandum of understanding and determine in the next year what is the most appropriate system for them.

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