Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of computer servers that are leased by his Department and each State agency under the aegis of his Department; and the amount of capacity on each server; the cost of maintaining these servers and the steps being taken to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35512/11]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of computer servers that are owned by his Department and each State agency under his aegis; the amount of capacity on each server; the cost of maintaining these servers; the steps being taken to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35528/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.

My Department does not lease computer servers. My Department is currently engaged in consolidating servers to a bladed infrastructure which utilises virtual server technologies thus reducing significantly the need for separate physical servers and the power consumption associated with them. This consolidated infrastructure is supported by a total of 21 blade servers split across two physical locations. At present the total remaining number of separate physical computer servers is 51 and the specification varies depending on the number of users, operating systems and applications housed thereon. My Department also currently provides ICT services to the Heritage Division of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Maintenance costs are normally built into the purchase price and are generally in the region of 10 – 25% of the initial capital outlay. The number of computer servers owned or leased by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves.