§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons the computer system for programming payments for self-employed people will not be operational until spring 1999. [61475]
§ Mr. TimmsThe computer system to which the hon. Member refers is the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS2). As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained in his letter of 11 September to hon. Members, there have been some implementation problems with NIRS2. However, no data have been lost and no records have been destroyed as a result.
NIRS2 has been processing payments from self-employed contributors since 13 July 1998. Collections from self-employed contributors have been made through the established Direct Debit and Quarterly Billing methods and to date we have collected over £269 million in National Insurance Contributions.
6WDue to the scale, complexity and sensitivity of the NIRS2 system it has been thoroughly tested prior to acceptance by the Contributions Agency. There are still some functions within the NIRS2 computer system that are being piloted, including the registration of newly self-employed contributors.
The computer system is being introduced using a phased release strategy. The final phase, combining Release 2 and Release 3, is planned for April 1999.