Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
579. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the protocol that is in place for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded within her Department and the bodies under the aegis of her Department; her plans to ensure that this complies with the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24146/22]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act, which builds on the government’s commitment as set out in the 2020 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and the 2021 Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy. The recently published Circular Economy Bill now places that strategy on a statutory footing, putting the re-use of resources and reduced consumption at the heart of the Irish economy.
In relation to the re-use of computer hardware, I am informed that my Department operates a Citrix kiosk-based IT access system which requires very low PC specifications. The design of these kiosks ensures that no data is stored locally, therefore low specification components can be used on the PCs. Staff log onto the kiosk and into the Department’s network. This method of operation results in an extension of the lifetime of the PCs used by the Department by several years.
The Department, in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service, has contracts in place to ensure the safe and secure disposal of any IT equipment. Hard drives are removed from end of life machines for secure disposal and PCs are assessed to decide if components can be re-used as spare parts. Where this is not possible the PCs are offered to local schools and charities to be repurposed.
Only in the event that these options are not availed of, are the PCs sent for disposal with the Department's current contractor who has a strong ongoing commitment to minimising the impact of IT equipment on the environment by focusing on the re-use and re marking of IT assets. Certificates of secure disposal are provided in each instance.
The protocols in place for the re-use of computer hardware by the agencies, offices and bodies under the aegis of the Department of Justice, whose IT services are not managed by my Department's ICT Unit, are outlined below in tabular form.
|
Offices and Bodies under the aegis of the Dept of Justice |
IT |
|
An Garda Síochána |
Computer hardware which needs to be replaced or upgraded due to key performance issues is assessed for suitability for reuse through refurbishment or repair. If parts are suitable for reuse, they are used to replace non-working components of existing hardware. Where end of life hardware does not meet operational standards, by way of minimum required specification, it is disposed of through a WEEE recycling company. An Garda Síochána's aim is to keep all suitable computer hardware components and products in use for as long as possible and once beyond operational use they are disposed of in as an environmentally sustainable process as possible. |
|
Courts Service |
Technology upgrade and refresh programmes in the Courts Service include the analysis of computer hardware and appliances for reuse or redeployment on the estate. All computer hardware, appliances and components identified for refresh or replacement are triaged and assessed by Courts Service technicians for internal reuse and redeployment. |
|
Criminal Assets Bureau |
All computer hardware is disposed of and removed from the Assets Register when it is either replaced or upgraded, and therefore not re-used. |
|
Forensic Science Ireland |
IT equipment that has reached end of life is securely disposed of by Vyta Lifecycle IT Solutions. |
|
GSOC |
All HDDs/SSDs are removed from obsolete devices, industrially wiped and industrially shredded. The remaining components are recycled by the Prison Service and devices are removed from GSOC’s asset register. Hardware that continues to be suitable is reused as often as required until it reaches end of life as determined by GSOC’s ICT Unit. Given the removal of all desktop PCs as a result of COVID-19, consideration is being given to current desktop PCs being sold or given to a charitable cause (e.g. a school). |
|
Irish Prison Service |
The Irish Prison Service uses its ICT equipment until it no longer works, is damaged beyond repair, or is no longer fit for purpose. As a result such equipment cannot be reused. The Irish Prison Service recycles all equipment which has reached end of life stage. For security reasons ICT remove all hard drives of old/obsolete PC’s/laptops, these are shredded by the Irish Prison Service and the shredded material is disposed of by a licensed waste management company. The remaining parts are sent to Arbour Hill prison for re-cycling as part of the waste management programme. |
|
Legal Aid Board |
The Legal Aid Board has an arrangement with the Irish Prison Service for the disposal of its computer hardware. Hard disks are removed from computers and sent to the Irish Prison Service for shredding. The Board receives a certificate of destruction for these hard disks. The remainder of the equipment is sent to the Irish Prison Service for disposal. |
