New Data Centres will save £0.5million a year: Foster

Finance Minister Arlene Foster MLA today announced plans for two new data centres which will deliver annual savings of around £0.5million for the public sector.

The data centres will house much of the IT services, not only for the Northern Ireland Civil Service but also the wider public sector.

The Minister said: “The new data centres will offer a much more efficient IT system for the public sector. Replacing a wide range of smaller, less efficient facilities, the centres will produce significant savings on running costs in the region of £0.5 million each year.”

“The new data facilities will also offer high levels of security and operational stability, providing a strong and secure foundation for the IT systems used by Northern Ireland citizens engaging with the public sector.”

Anchor tenants for the new Data Centres will include Enterprise Shared Services, Translink and the Business Services Organisation.

The Centres will be available for live operation by autumn 2016.

DFP has awarded the contract for the provision of two secure, high availability data centres to BT. The contract is valued at circa £15million over 10 years. BT will manage the operation of the facilities, including continuity plans. The public sector will continue to manage the IT systems within the facilities.

Notes to editors: 

1. Over the last two years DFP has been running the cross departmental project to provide two secure data centre facilities for use by the NI public sector.

2. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9081 6724 or 028 9081 6725. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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