While the heart and soul of Government is its people, the machinery that keeps it churning is housed in a cavernous room inside the Government Administration Building.

While touring part of his Home Affairs Ministry recently, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin was taken on a walkthrough of the Computer Services Department (CSD) where he talked with staff about the work they do to help keep Government running.

CSD provides IT business and technical solutions to meet the business aims and objectives of the Cayman Islands Government within corporate IT standards and provides a distribution centre management.

Subject matters include IT server and network services, PC infrastructure service and technical support, IT security services, a helpdesk, IT consulting, website development and hosting services, database administration, application development, support and upgrades, email and Internet service provision, and procurement and distribution services

Gilbert McLaughlin, Director of the Department, led the tour for the Hon. Premier, Chief Officer Eric Bush, Political Advisor to the Premier Roy Tatum and Press Secretary to the Premier Tammie C. Chisholm.

The tour followed a trip to West Bay and the Department of Children and Family Services where the Premier saw cramped quarters, but a dedicated staff.

Department Director Jen Dixon said the two most critical issues in West Bay are substance abuse among children and mental health issues.

The Hon. Premier was urged to ensure rehabilitation is available for all juveniles remanded to detention.

Mr. McLaughlin told staff in both Ministries that he wanted to meet the men and women who make up the Ministries and plans to complete his tours soon.

PHOTO: Home Affairs 1 – From left, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Director of Computer Services Gilbert McLaughlin and Chief Officer Eric Bush talk about the computer system that keeps Government running. Photos: Tammie C. Chisholm