Govt could sue over faulty computer projects

The Government has not ruled out taking legal action against consultants involved in faulty computer projects that spiralled out of budget.

Fine Gael revealed in recent days that the PPARS and FISP systems and an aborted website had cost millions in taxpayers’ money but never worked properly and have now been suspended.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte today called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to consider suing consultants to recoup some of the money spent.

“Is the state going to initiate any legal action against the consultants who got away with €150m of taxpayers’ money and leave a mess behind them?” he asked.

“Will you as head of Government take any action against the three ministers who left the taxpayers with a bill of €166m.

“We still don’t know if you’re simply saying that we’re writing this off or putting it down to experience.”

Mr Ahern said that separate reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are being carried out on the controversial projects.

“I think we should wait and let the HSE do a full evaluation of what happened over the last few years,” Mr Ahern told Mr Rabbitte.

In the latest case, Fine Gael revealed yesterday that a €3m one-stop-shop website for accessing health services never went live.

It was launched by former Health Minister Micheal Martin last year but was suspended in February and new tenders were offered for the project last month.

The Government announced yesterday that departments will have tighter controls for running computer projects and hiring outside consultants.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny earlier ridiculed the guidelines as “consultants reviewing consultants“.

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.