PPARS fiasco prompts project management rethink
Government departments will have tighter rules for managing computer projects and hiring outside consultants, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
The Cabinet agreed the new controls today following a discussion on the controversy surrounding cost overruns for the PPARS and FISP systems within the health service.
Mr Ahern said that ICT projects will now be overseen by senior civil servants from each department who have a track record of achieving cost and delivery targets.
“This cross-agency approach, bringing the best of the public service expertise to bear in all agencies, will be supplemented where necessary by external expertise from the private sector and internationally,” Mr Ahern added.
In relation to external consultants, ministers will also have to vouch that any money spent on consultancy in their departments is necessary under the Estimates.
“The Department of Finance has been asked to review existing guidelines on the commissioning and management of consultancies to ensure that they accord with best practice,” Mr Ahern said.
“The Government is instructing secretaries general and accounting officers to certify compliance with the terms of the guidelines in respect of major projects.”
Today’s move follows weekend calls by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to review all computer projects within the nation’s health service.
Mr Kenny revealed in the Dail last week that the PPARS payroll system had cost €150m to date but was only operating in four out of the 11 health board regions.
The financial management system, FISP had cost €30m and was strongly criticised by Finance Department chiefs last month.
It also emerged that millions of euro had been paid to outside consultants in relation to both projects.
The roll-out of both projects was suspended by the Health Service Executive (HSE) last week pending an executive review.
