NIRS2 (Hansard, 2 July 2001)

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the problems with the NIRS2 computer system to be resolved. [363]

§ Dawn Primarolo
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 31 October 2000,Official Report, column 409W.

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the total cost of the work that will be needed fully to rectify the problems with the NIRS2 computer system; [362]
(2) if he will estimate the total cost of the work that has so far been carried out to rectify the problems with the NIRS2 computer system. [361]

§ Dawn Primarolo
The delay in the implementation of NIRS2 caused arrears of work in both the Inland Revenue and the then Department of Social Security. These arrears are being managed through a recovery plan that has been developed by both Departments and continue to be cleared as quickly as possible.
Estimated additional operational costs up to March 2001 are £40.4 million. It is not possible accurately to estimate the future costs until the backlog of cases has been cleared.