Irish government to invest in health IT: The Irish health sector is set to get a technology boost, with analysts predicting a EUR260 million cash injection from the Government. According to iReach, the Government could spend up to EUR260 million in technology within the health sector in 2007, about 2 percent of the overall budget assigned for health this year. "If we compare this to our European counterparts it may initially seem insignificant. The UK will invest EUR2.64 billion this year on health IT, while Germany and France will invest EUR1.6 billion and EUR1.3 billion each," said iReach analyst Neil Brennan. "What these figures fail to show is the amount that these countries invest per capita on health IT. And it is here where Ireland compares very favourably." While Ireland may be spending less in monetary terms, per capita figures show that about EUR62 per person is spent on health IT in Ireland, compared to EUR43 per capita in UK, EUR19 per person in Germany and EUR21 in France. Read more on this story here.
High-tech scans cause chaos at UK airports: Holidaymakers returning to the UK have been warned to expect chaos at airports this summer, as new high-tech border controls cause major delays. On re-entering the UK, passports are now being scanned with laser technology installed by the recently formed Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) -- a procedure that is doubling the amount of time it takes to process passengers. According to media reports, delays have already occurred at Stansted and Luton airports, with the situation set to worsen as the new scanning technology is rolled out to all airports in the UK over the next few months. Concerns about the impact of delays have been voiced by the BAA, which runs the main airports, the Immigration Service Union and airline executives. The Daily Telegraph quotes Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary as saying that "this country is in danger of being taken over by 'secureocrats' who seem intent on bringing airports to a grinding halt. These are the same people who came up with the ridiculous idea that stopping people travelling with toothpaste and eye make-up would make us safer last year."
UK's efficiency drive slammed: Whitehall's drive to reduce the number of UK government websites has been sharply criticised, with accusations of the use of 'smoke and mirrors' being levelled at officials. In spite of government claims that it intended to close down more than 550 public service websites in an efficiency drive, only a fraction of these will be ceased, according to Public Sector Forums (PSF) -- an organisation that describes itself as an "independent network for e-government practitioners, representing virtually all UK local authorities." PSF cites the example of the Department for Transport, which the Government said would close 36 of its sites; it has now been confirmed that only six of these will be shut down. Other sites on the Government's hitlist, released in January, have also confirmed that they have no plans to be taken down. Ian Dunmore, director of PSF, said he would be surprised if any more than 100 of the 550 "doomed" government sites were definitely closing. He also noted that since announcing the closures, the Government has launched 24 new websites.
Swedes vote for traffic toll system: The Swedish parliament has voted in favour of adopting a traffic congestion toll system for the city of Stockholm. The system, which was trialed by IBM and the Swedish Road Administration last year, involves 18 barrier-free control points around the city that are equipped with beacons and cameras to identify vehicles. All eligible vehicles entering or leaving the toll zone are charged based on the time of day, with fares highest during peak hours. IBM says that the seven-month pilot scheme in 2006 saw traffic congestion reduce dramatically, air pollutants diminish by up to 12 percent, and public transport usage increase by around 40,000 commuters a day. IBM will begin rolling out the road-charging solution city-wide in August 2007. The decision to proceed with the rollout follows a public referendum in September last year in which most Stockholm citizens voted in favour of retaining the toll system.
New Zealand explains e-gov spending: The move towards e-government is the main driver behind a surge in spending over the past five years by New Zealand's State Services Commission (SSC), the main public sector agency, reports Computerworld. Spending on e-government accounted for NZD25 million out of a total NZD32 million rise in costs, according to the SSC, and e-government initiatives now account for 40 percent of all of its expenses. E-government programme director Laurence Millar said the business case behind the investment in e-government was based on the delivery of future benefits. The business case is "comprehensive", he said, and has undergone economic analysis, as well as being reviewed by the Treasury. The return on investment will be evident through reducing costs for the Government as a whole, said Millar, and not just for the SSC.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Sylvia Leatham
Quelle/Source: ElectricNews, 22.06.2007
