Government's computer system has been hit by several viruses in the past, the Minister of Telecommunications and E-commerce Renee Webb revealed yesterday.

But new software was now in place to minimise these kind of security breaches, she said.

Ms Webb said that since September 11, the US had put restrictions on virus protection software but another provider had been found.

"We have had one or two viruses in the past," admitted Ms Webb, adding: "Since September 11 the US has placed restrictions of the release of virus software. To resolve this issue for the long term there is a need to move to alternative virus protection software at the portal, server as well as desktop level.

"The intent is to procure a licence for a non-US base virus protection vendor. A potential vendor has been identified. The plan is to roll out the new software during the course of the next year.

During her speech on the Telecommunication Ministry's Budget for the upcoming year, Ms Webb pointed to improvements in the infrastructure made by her Department last year.

She said: "As demand for and the reliance on information technology continues to grow as computers become the primary tool for accomplishing the work of Government, so it follows that it is important to continually improve and modernise the IT infrastructure."

She said Government had installed wireless network connections in the Cabinet Office, Works and Engineering, Warwick Camp, the Statistics Department and the CURE offices among others.

And she said improvements made to Government's infrastructure should continue in the coming year.

She said: "It is evident that information technology has become a mainstay of doing business. The challenge is to devise ways and means to ensure that Government is investing wisely in IT.

"To this end a project was initiated last year to restructure the delivery of IT services. A plan has been approved and during the course of the next couple of years these ideas will be implemented."

She said the essence of the solution was to decentralise the management of IT services to Ministries and Departments while maintaining centralised control over the system.

Ms Webb said: "The intent is to establish a balance between autonomy at Ministry and Department level while maintaining a centralised planning mechanism to achieve coordination, standardisation, and realise economies of scale when investing in IT."

But she warned that the new model will provide some challenges with implementation as any changes to well-established business practices.

She said: "It is anticipated that these changes will position the Government to take advantage of the opportunities presented by e-government and the information age in a cost effective manner."