Written question asked by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 November 1998. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 November 1998 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer of 4th November, 319 c603W, how much of the NIRS II system remains to be switched on. - (Holding answer 11 November 1998).

Answer: Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 603, how much of the NIRS2 system remains to be switched on. [59286] Mr. Timms: [holding answer 11 November 1998]: On the 13 July 1998, the majority of the new system was switched on. With effect from 14 September 1998 further parts of the system were integrated with those already available. The system is now being used to process Employers' End of Year National Insurance Returns. It is debiting the self-employed on a monthly basis and issuing National Insurance bills to the self-employed on a quarterly basis as well as making monthly payments to the pensions industry in relation to age-related rebates. NIRS2 has been processing all new and repeat claims for Jobseeker's Allowance since the 9 November 1998, and it is planned that Incapacity Benefit will be processed from 18 November 1998. There are still some functions within NIRS2 which are being piloted. These relate to the processing of Retirement Pensions, Widows Benefits and other functions to maintain individual National Insurance accounts. As soon as piloting is complete the functionality will be made available to system users.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c500W; 59286
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Databases Software Computers Administrative delays ICT National insurance Social Security Contributions Agency