Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Finance when his attention was drawn to a letter sent by his Department to the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children in relation to computer systems for financial management information systems in the Department of Health and Children; if he has made observations on the cost of such systems to date; the difficulties arising with their implementation and any recommendations he has made in relation to such projects; if he has met with the Department of Health and Children on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28417/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department through CMOD operates a formal process of delegation to ensure that ICT policy is being implemented in a cost efficient manner in relation to information and communication technology, ICT, activities across the Civil Service, the Prisons and Courts Service, the Garda, Defence Forces and from earlier this year the HSE. Decisions in relation to VFM issues arising from ICT investments in other bodies are the responsibility of the relevant parent Departments and this was the case with the Department of Health and the health sector prior to the setting up of the HSE.

As part of these arrangements and following a meeting at the beginning of June in relation to the PPARS project, my Department requested the HSE through the Department of Health and Children to consider the FISP project in light of the discussion regarding PPARS. A follow-up meeting on the FISP project was arranged by my Department on 9 September and following this, a briefing document was sent to me for information on 13 September in relation to the still outstanding concerns. The HSE was then conducting an initial review which led to Professor Drumm, the CEO of the HSE, putting a hold on the further rollout shortly thereafter.

As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE have since decided to pause the rollout of the PPARS implementation and to review both the PPARS and the FISP project. I believe this to be the right approach given all the circumstances and the amount of money involved. I expect recommendations will arise from the review in relation to the future of both of these systems. I can confirm that my officials have had discussions with officials in the Department of Health and Children on this and related issues.