Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
268. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocol that is in place for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded within his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department; his plans to ensure that this complies with the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a policy of utilising computer hardware until it is end of life and goes to the market regularly to award a device destruction contract to a recognised device destruction company, with security and commitment to green re-cycling the predominant award criteria. In addition, certification of destruction for each device which attests to the green and secure destruction of each device is provided. The current recycling partner for my Department is ISO 14001 certified - an international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS).
My Department, and the bodies under its aegis, will continue to ensure that they meet all relevant legal obligations in this area. The specific position regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
The OPW endeavours to recycle equipment internally where possible, in line with its policy on sustainability. Where there is no longer an internal use for the equipment, it is offered to a company that specialises in the ethical repurposing of computer equipment for educational purposes. This is done in a secure manner and all data is wiped from the machines as part of the process. Where it is not possible to repurpose a piece of equipment, it is disposed of in a secure fashion by specialist companies in line with sustainability directives.
National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
The NSSO has a policy of utilising its computer hardware until it is end of life. The NSSO returns some of its equipment to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) for disposal. For any remaining hardware, the NSSO currently utilises the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Framework to award a device destruction contract to a recognised device destruction company with security and commitment to green recycling the predominant award criteria. Certification of destruction from the ISO 14001 certified partner for each device which attests to the green and secure destruction of each device is also obtained.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
PAS use a recognised specialist IT asset disposal service provider when disposing of obsolete or damaged/unusable computer equipment. The service providers used are required to have a WEEE Waste Collection Permit and comply fully with the WEEE directive. They must also hold a current Waste Facility Permit for the processing of WEEE. A certification of destruction is provided to PAS once the equipment is securely disposed of. The PAS Management Board authorise all requests for IT asset disposal in advance.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory does not re-use any ICT hardware when replaced or upgraded. All legacy and replaced hardware is currently disposed of in line with the WEEE directive. New ICT physical devices procured through OGP frameworks include environmental characteristics as an award criterion.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman ICT Unit operates on a standard hardware lifecycle for desktops and laptops, whereby devices are scheduled for replacement every five years, subject to major technology and/or device security requirements. All new hardware is sourced via OGP frameworks to ensure best value-for-money, adherence to established procurement channels and alignment to all governance compliance requirements.
All retired hardware is disposed of in adherence with WEEE and Waste Management best practice and is done so using authorised WEEE providers. This ensures that hardware disposals are aligned to the reuse, recovery and recycling WEEE targets. All hard drives are shredded onsite prior to disposal of desktop/laptop/servers to ensure secure data disposal. All disposed hardware is signed off by the Accounting Officer and associated certificates of destruction issued from the WEEE services providers on disposal.
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
The ORNL has not yet formally devised a protocol for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded. In 2020, prior to the initiation of the Bill, the ORNL commenced its first ever replacement of outdated IT equipment, engaging a registered contractor to safely dispose of a small number of PCs, and donating 2 old laptops to the Tech2Students programme developed by Trinity Access and Camara Ireland that repurposes IT equipment for disadvantaged students.
