John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1442: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures in place to ensure that personal data stored by his Department is secure. [30130/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Only personal information required for business needs is stored by my Department. Access to data is restricted to the appropriate designated sections and/ or officers. Access to personal computers is password protected and additional security features are deployed as appropriate. E-Working staff connect to the Department over secure fully encrypted (VPN) connections.

The Department's Information and Communications Technology User Policy sets out the general policy on access to and use of data held by the Department. Each user, regardless of location, is responsible for security access to his/her computer or other ICT facility provided to them. Passwords must remain confidential and must not be relayed to any other person. Staff are also notified that they must not use another person's access rights or seek to gain access to data for which they have not received specific authorisation. Any breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with the Disciplinary Code.

Management of business units are responsible for ensuring that appropriate controls are in place governing the use of data held by the unit. The Department's arrangements are continuously under review and will be updated and revised where necessary.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1443: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of laptop computers, data storage devices and USB memory sticks that have been stolen or lost from his Department in 2007 and to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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During 2007, thirteen Department owned laptops were reported stolen. 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.

To date in 2008, three laptops and one external hard drive have been reported stolen and have not been recovered. No sensitive or personal data was stored on any of these devices.