Irish information systems cost tax payers millions

Irish information systems cost tax payers millions

The Irish Examiner reports: "Following the rash of embarrassing revelations of gross Government overspending on consultant-led information systems in the health service, we now learn that there was no ministerial control over the costly projects.

"This disclosure, elicited in a Freedom of Information request by the Irish Examiner, rekindles the controversy just days before the scene is scrutinised by the influential Dáil Public Accounts Committee...

"While the Health Service Executive has suspended the further roll-out of the flawed PPARS payroll system, it transpires the scheme is continuing to gobble up millions of euro...

"Controversy is also raging around another Government computer project called FISP, a financial information system for the Health Service. Ultimately, it will cost a staggering €177m to get the system up and running...

"Undeniably, the most disturbing aspects of the PPARS and FISP debacles is that most of the money has gone into the pockets of consultants and on staffing costs. Among others, consultants Deloitte received fees of around €60m for carrying out work on projects which thus far have failed to deliver."

PPARS controversy - A repeat of PPARS must be prevented (Irish Examiner, 29 November 2005)