Govt ‘burying PPARS controversy until after Election’

The Government has been accused of attempting to bury the controversy surrounding the PPARS computer system until after next year’s General Election.

The introduction of the computerised payroll system for the health service was suspended last year due to major cost over-runs.

The original cost estimate was €9m, but €130m had been spent on it by the time the roll-out was halted just under a year ago.

Reports this morning say a new review into PPARS has now been set up and a decision on the future of the system will not be made until after next year's Election.

This has prompted claims from the opposition that the Government is attempting to deflect public attention from the controversy before voters go to the polls.