John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the computerisation of the penalty point system will take place; the cost of implementing the speed camera, penalty system and Garda PULSE computer system; the reason the Garda PULSE computer system not yet been integrated with the central courts computer system; the cost to integrate same; the individual costs involved to have the courts issue manually amended summons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33673/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The fixed charge processing system is already operational in Dublin, Cork city and parts of Louth and Meath. The FCPS is currently integrated with the national driver file and the Courts Service.

The system will be extended nationwide in respect of existing penalty point offences in conjunction with the commencement of an outsourced fixed charge payment collection service. In addition, it is proposed to rollout further penalty point offences under regulations under the Road Traffic Act 2002 which will be prepared by the Department of Transport in consultation with my Department. The precise timescales are currently being worked out with the various agencies involved but I can assure the Deputy there will be no unavoidable delay.

The cost of the development of the fixed charge processing system is approximately €13.5 million. This includes the cost of processing the output from speed cameras. In regard to the cost of implementing speed cameras, the selection of an outsource provider will be made by way of an open and competitive tendering process, and a request for tender document will issue in due course. In accordance with EU and national procurement guidelines, this RFT will be published in the EU Journal and on the Government's procurement website. All tender proposals received will be evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with the criteria set down in the request for tender. I am not in a position at this time to indicate to the Deputy the potential cost of the project as this will depend, inter alia, on the tenders received.

The cost of the development of the PULSE system was €61.33 million. There is already an electronic interface between the fixed charge processing system and the Courts Service criminal case tracking system for the processing of summons applications. In regard to the integration of the courts computer system with PULSE, my Department, the Courts Service and the Garda Síochána are currently engaged with the Reach Agency in a pilot project to exchange summons and court outcomes electronically, by implementing the Reach InterAgency Messaging Service. On successful completion of this pilot project, other exchanges of information between these agencies and others in the sector will be revisited, potentially leading to a fuller integration between the two systems, depending on the business benefits to be identified. The costs for this project have not yet been finalised.