PPARS health service payroll system
- Department / body
- Department of Health / Health Service Executive
- Status
- Cancelled / abandoned
- Location
- Nationwide
The national roll-out was halted in 2005. Source: RTÉ News, 13 Dec 2005 (opens in a new tab)
A personnel, payroll and related systems project for the health service, intended to be implemented over two years.
The numbers
Documented factOriginal estimate → reported cost to 2005
- Earlier figure
- €9.1m
- 1997
- Latest figure
- €220m
- 2005
- Documented variance
- +€210.9m / +2318%
- Not like-for-like
The project scope grew over its life, and the figures are in different years' prices.
Calculation
Variance = €220m − €9.1m = €210.9m
Percentage = €210.9m ÷ €9.1m × 100 = 2318%
Earlier: Original scope. Latest: Spend to 2005 on an expanded scope.
Published cost figures, in order
| Date | Figure | Amount | Scope / basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Original estimate | €9.1m | Original scope | Source: Irish Examiner, 2005 (opens in a new tab) |
| 2005 | Reported cost to date | €220m | Spend to 2005 on an expanded scope | Source: Irish Examiner, 2005 (opens in a new tab); RTÉ News, 13 Dec 2005 (opens in a new tab) |
What the sources say
Documented fact- Reason given by sourceA 2005 Comptroller and Auditor General report, as reported, found the system did not have a clear enough remit from the outset, and that estimates were not supported by cost analysis. Source: Irish Examiner, 2005 (opens in a new tab)
Key dates
- Original estimate
- c. 1997
- Roll-out halted
- 2005
Sources
Figures last checked against these sources on 1 Oct 2026. Where a news report is linked, it is reporting an official statement or document.
- PPARS became "money pit"Irish Examiner · 2005 · News report of official figures
- Dáil given report on PPARS systemRTÉ News · 13 Dec 2005 · News report of official figures
Spotted an error or a newer figure? Send us the source and we will correct it.