16 DECEMBER 1999

CHILDCARE SCHEME

At their meeting on 10 December, the Assembly Commission agreed the terms of a Childcare Scheme for Members and Secretariat staff. Details of the scheme and how to apply will be issued by the Personnel Office shortly.

The Speaker is hosting a Christmas Drinks Reception for Assembly staff and those Party staff who are based in Parliament Buildings, at 4.00 pm in the Long Gallery on Tuesday 21 December. Members are very welcome to attend.

The Post Office is running a national Christmas Card recycling scheme until 29 January 2000. Members are invited to support the scheme by handing in their old Christmas Cards and envelopes at the Assembly's post office in Parliament Buildings. Alternatively, cards and envelopes can be taken to any main post office.

Members should be aware that, in accepting the recommendation of the SSRB (Recommendation 10 of Report No. 43, dated March 1999), the Shadow Commission approved the provision of computer equipment for use by Assembly Members in their constituency offices. Such provision to be conditional on the devolution of powers to the Assembly.

The timetable for the supply of equipment is subject to the letting of a supply and services contract for the supply, delivery, installation and maintenance of equipment and for training, help desk and repair services. It is expected that delivery of equipment will commence sometime during January 2000.

The exact technical specification of equipment to be supplied will depend on the successful tender. However, the Assembly has defined the following requirements.

PC Intel Pentium III with internal Modem and CD ROM

Printer

ZIP Drive - external, high capacity magnetic disk for backup

Video conferencing camera and software

A4 Flat bed Scanner with OCR Software

Office 97 Software - Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint etc.

Internet Explorer

VPN security software - for secure communications with the Assembly network.

Any queries relating to this should be addressed to Allan Black (Tel [5] 21134).