Minister Welcomes UK Computing Award for DARD

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Ian Pearson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Agriculture and Rural Development, recently welcomed the success of his Department in winning a major UK computing competition. The Forest Service Timber Permit Management System won first place in the Government to Business category of the Government Computing Syntegra Awards for Innovation 2003.

Passing on his congratulations on winning the award, the Minister said:

“I am very pleased that my Department’s commitment to high quality e-government delivery and partnership with business has been recognised in such a prestigious competition. I would like to commend the staff in my Department whose business and technical skills helped to produce a system that is so beneficial to the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the Department and the industry.”

The Timber Permit Management System was developed by staff within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the Northern Ireland timber industry. It delivers an e-business solution to the authorisation and management of timber removals from forests in Northern Ireland to sawmills across the island of Ireland. It benefits both the Forest Service and the timber industry by substantially reducing levels of administration while improving the management of timber removals.

The awards take into account factors such as innovation in the use of information systems, clear improvement in quality of service, value for money and collaboration across organisations. Entry was open to all public sector organisations.

Northern Ireland was also represented in the shortlist for the Government to Business category by Lisburn City Council with their On-line Property Certificate Application.

1. Since their introduction in 1996 the awards, organised by Government Computing magazine, have become recognised as the prime accolades for those working on the electronic delivery of public services.

2. In the 2003 competition, there were well over 100 entries in the six categories, with contributions encompassing the sweep of the public sector from central and local government, defence, education, health and legal process. The winners were announced by Stephen Timms MP, Minister for e-commerce and competitiveness on 10 June 2003.

3. The Forest Service is an executive agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Further information is available on the DARD website at: (http://www.dardni.gov.uk/frames/forest01.htm)

4. Photograph available.