The European Commission is setting up a new agency to oversee all the its large-scale IT systems operated by its freedom, security and justice operation.

The plan will bring together management of three key systems – the Schengen Information System, Visa Information System and Eurodac – plus other related applications, into a single operational structure.

The aim is to achieve economies of scale through common management in a single location.

“The establishment of a dedicated agency for the operational management of these systems will allow their effective and secure operation, assuring quality of service for users, continuity and uninterrupted service,” said Jacques Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for justice, freedom and security.

“The gradual building up of expertise will allow the agency to become a centre of excellence for the development and operational management of future large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice".

The agency is due to be operational by 2012.

Eurodac is a EU biometric database of asylum and immigration applicants, while Schengen manages passport details for countries involved in the agreement that allows citizens to move between EU states without immigration controls. The UK is not part of the Schengen agreement.