Annual Report 2011

For more information about the FSS, including an extensive list of contact points, you can view our 2011 Annual Report below: -

Financial Shared Services Annual Report 2011 (PDF - 107KB) 

Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) Project

Under its Risk Management and Performance Improvement (RMPI) Programme the Killarney FSS has implemented a new business continuity "hotsite" in the nearby premises of our Client Organisation, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport (DTCS).  As the FSS operation has grown in size and complexity, the necessity for a robust disaster recovery and business continuity (DR/BC) plan has increased. The new "hotsite" facility can cater for a worst possible scenario (e.g., the FSS building and systems being suddenly rendered unusable).  In such circumstances, our DR/BC plan enables our IT systems to be re-established, within 24 hours, in the DTCS building.  The plan also provides that the DTCS building will be able to accommodate all our staffing requirements outside of normal office hours so the a "near normal" service can continue for whatever period of time is necessary. While the worst scenario is always possible, it is far more likely that a scenario of lesser impact may cause our DR/BC plan to be invoked.  For example, one of the "live" systems may not be operational (discs or servers become inoperable) and cannot be recovered in sufficient time to maintain an acceptable service.  The DR/BC plan allows the FSS operation to switch over to the systems in DTCS.  In this scenario, FSS staff will be able to access the DR/BC systems, located in DTCS, from their desktops in FSS office. Accordingly, the FSS now has in place excellent business continuity arrangements that provide a very high degree of assurance to our existing Client Organisations and to any prospective new clients.    

Automated Password in Oracle

How often have you forgotten your Oracle password and had to contact our Oracle System Support Unit?  After more than a couple of times it can be frustrating and disruptive for you.  Not any more.  There is now a facility where the system can email you your new password – no need to search for a contact phone number or send an email request for assistance and await a response.  This new facility is available from your Oracle Login screen – just follow the instructions.

Automated Update of Listings for Batch Entry Travel and Subsistence

T&S Batch Entry is mainly confined to the Garda Síochána and Irish Prison Service.  Lists are maintained for each authorised Batch Entry staff member.  The larger the list, the slower the system works.  Dormant names have now been removed from these lists and a new process is now in place to ensure that lists are kept up to date.  This will make life easier for batch entry users and improve system performance on Oracle Financials.