asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many permanent Rural Payments Agency staff were involved in the setting up and running of the information technology computer systems; how many external computer systems specialists were employed since the single farm payments scheme was established; and what is the cost to date.[HL480]

The information technology computer systems for administering the single payment scheme (SPS) were delivered as part of the RPA change programme. The primary focus of the programme from January 2004 through to completion in May 2006 was delivery of the SPS scheme and associated IT. The average number of permanent RPA staff engaged on the overall change programme during this period was 184.

The RPA contracted Accenture to develop the IT systems required under the change programme. This covers development, support and ongoing maintenance of the systems. The total cost of the Accenture contract is expected to be £55.04 million over seven years (the contract ends on 31 December 2009). We do not have a figure for the total number of consultants who have been deployed by Accenture on the contract to date.