Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 1348: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of Department owned computer desktops or laptops or other data devices, such as blackberries and memory keys, reported lost, missing or stolen from his Department in each year from 2002 to 2007; the number of these that were later recovered or found; the number still missing; if any sensitive or private data was compromised; the measures in place within his Department to secure such portable or at risk data devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1514/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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No Department owned computer desktops or memory keys have been reported lost, missing or stolen, during the period 2002 to 2007. During 2007, twelve Department owned laptops were stolen from the Custom House and one was stolen while in transit between Department offices. Ten of these were recovered almost immediately. Nine of these laptops were obsolete and had already been prepared for recycling. Of the three laptops not recovered, one was new and unused. One also contained a 3G card. One Blackberry device was reported lost in 2005 and two were reported lost in 2007. All unrecovered devices were password protected and no sensitive or private data was compromised.

Security systems in the Custom House have since been upgraded and my Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, is installing a new CCTV system. My Department already has a range of data protection initiatives in place. A review of the operation of systems and procedures to protect the confidentiality of personal data and to prevent its improper release is being finalised at present. Any issues emerging from the review which need to be addressed will be followed up.