Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has plans to review protocol 16/97 regarding CMOD approval of all expenditure above €500 on health information technology in view of the problems arising from it in relation to delays in approving IT maintenance projects in hospitals. [10009/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The sanctioning process established under the terms of Department of Finance Circular 16/97 has been put in place to assist Departments and Offices deal with their ICT related expenditure in a delegated and controlled way.

Each organisation is responsible for identifying, agreeing and prioritising its development and maintenance needs in order to meet its current and anticipated business requirements. This must be done in a framework which takes account of the overall business and ICT strategy for the organisation. The Circular 16/97 delegated sanctioning process is streamlined in respect of those organisations which have, inter alia, agreed ICT Plans and established ICT priorities. In the event that these are not in place, a more rigorous assessment of proposals that necessitates increased contact between my Department and the sponsoring organisation is required.

There have been no delays in my Department with regard to the sanctioning of ICT-related expenditure by the HSE as a result of the procedures put in place under the terms of Department of Finance Circular 16/97. This delegation process is continually monitored in order to ensure that it meets the continuing needs of all organisations, and there are no current plans to further review the sanctioning process.