Written answers

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Information and Communications Technology

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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994. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of computers in her Department that still use an operating system (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44705/19]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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995. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will not be forced to pay additional premium payments to a company (details supplied) once support for an operating system expires in January 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44721/19]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 994 and 995 together.

There are two computers in my Department utilising the operating system the Deputy has enquired about.

These computers are currently carrying out dedicated tasks in relation to the Department's telephone systems. They are not on the Department's network.

These computers will no longer be required to carry out these tasks from January 2020. Therefore support for their specific operating system will no longer be required.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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996. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to protect her Department in the event of a malware attack or security risks as a result of the failure to upgrade computers from an operating system (details supplied) in her Department and the agencies under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44737/19]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As outlined in my response to the Deputy's other questions relating to this specific operating system, there are only two computers in my Department utilising that system at present. They are stand alone machines and not on my Department's network. They do not represent a security risk.

In addition, my Department implements a multi-layered approach to cyber security and to protecting our ICT systems, data and infrastructure. This includes preventative controls like firewalls, anti-virus and endpoint protection. Software vulnerabilities are managed by maintaining up-to-date versions.

My Department does not provide ICT infrastructure or ICT support to any of the agencies under its remit. For this reason I have asked the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Ombudsman for Children's Office and Tulsa - the Child and Family Agency to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

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