The Health Service Executive has spent over €300,000 on upgrading 46,000 laptops and desktops, which are operating on old software.
The upgrade are necessary following Microsoft's announcement that it will stop protecting Windows 7 from viruses and malware from 14 January 2020, unless a premium is paid for extended security support. 22,000 computers in various government departments and offices also continue to run on Windows 7.The information was released in a series of Parliamentary Questions to many government departments by Labour TD Alan Kelly."Across government, across departments and various organisations there is a lack of preparedness, in some cases, for the change over from Windows 7 to Windows 10. As a result it is going to cost the taxpayer a substantial amount of money", he said.
— cian mccormack November 14, 2019 It added it continuously is replacing and updating older systems. Costs are built in to current budgets and future costs depend on priorities and available budgets.The HSE has paid €330,000 for an extended warranty to protect 16,000 Windows 7 computers and 46,000 of the HSE's 58,000 desktop and laptop computers remain on the Windows 7 operating system.
Initial figures released to Mr Kelly show there are 22,312 computers across various government departments and offices running on Windows 7.There has been a proactive drive within government departments and offices to get computer systems updated.The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has 2,950.The National Services Office has 797.The Department of Education has 450.The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has 552.