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Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what contingency plans the Contributions Agency and Benefits Agency developed to accommodate the phased implementation of the introduction of NIRS2. [59285] Mr. Timms: [holding answer 11 November 1998]: Due to the scale, complexity and sensitivity of the NIRS2 system it has been thoroughly tested prior to acceptance by the Contributions Agency (CA). During the first year of operation the system is being introduced through a series of pilots leading to national implementation. Contingency plans were developed by both the CA and the Benefits Agency (BA) in order to accommodate the phased implementation and the attendant difficulties. The CA appointed a Continuity Planning Manager in January 1998 with the aim of ensuring that CA, BA, Inland Revenue and other major stakeholders involved with NIRS2 developed robust and comprehensive contingency plans. These plans have been systematically updated to ensure minimum impact on contributors and benefit claimants. The BA's contingency plans are based upon long-standing emergency procedures. As part of those procedures, managers and staff were provided with comprehensive guidance to enable them to deal with claims that could be affected by problems with the introduction of NIRS2. The guidance was issued at the beginning of the year and has been revised as required.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319 c499-500W; 59285

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Databases Software Computers National insurance Pilot schemes Planning Social Security Contributions Agency