Irish software industry involvement
Daly urged support for Irish software development and the jobs it could create; despite the Chair’s view that this was for another Minister, Daly argued Health had a role. The Minister said the supplier had undertaken to establish an Irish company, employ Irish staff and develop products locally.
The Minister will be aware that in future there is to be a significant volume of this type of equipment used in the Department and in the educational services. Has he made any representations to the IDA or the promotional agencies to bring home to them the need to get involved in this computer software area which will provide enormous job opportunities for us? We do not seem to be able to reap the benefits from this new development at the present time.
Comment on this
The Department will be utilising this type of equipment in the future and the Minister would have responsibility in this area.
Comment on this
The company concerned undertook to set up an Irish company initially with a 50-50 Irish and American base, and to achieve a wholly Irish base within two to three years. The company intend to maintain and further develop products sold in Ireland with an Irish staff. They also undertook to provide all modifications required by health managements without cost.
I want to stress that some Irish firms have limited products in certain areas of the laboratory without having an overall administrative system integrated with modules for other areas of the hospital, and in particular with the patient data base. On balance I feel the criticism does not stand up.