Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 919: To ask the Minister for Health the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The following table summarises my Department's actual ICT expenditure for 2010 and planned expenditure for 2011, as approved by the Department of Finance:

The Department of Public Expenditure Circulars 2/09 and 2/11 relating to the arrangements for ICT expenditure in the Civil and Public Service outline a range of initiatives designed to reduce risk and achieve better value for money. These circulars require all Departments and Offices including my Department and its agencies that spend monies from Voted Funds on ICT expenditure to comply with Department of Public Expenditure circulars, advisories and best practice guidance relating to ICT expenditure and to submit a breakdown of all ICT budgeted expenditure planned to that Department and my own Department for approval prior to any funds being expended. In addition to the Department of Public Expenditure guidance, the Department of Health's procurement policy provides detailed guidelines and procedures for staff to follow when carrying out procurement functions in compliance with national and EU rules. In pursuing efficiency and value for money my Department and the HSE uses, where ever possible, national framework contracts organised by the Department of Public Expenditure and CMOD for ICT related equipment. Other measures in relation to the value for money involve engaging in regular procurement exercises and also on-going evaluation of expenditure in this area. The ICT Unit within my Department provides ICT shared services to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer and the Ombudsman for Children's Office as a significant contribution to efficiency and value for money in this area. My Department is currently meeting with the small and medium sized health agencies in relation to shared services including the provision of ICT related services.