Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills 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]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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IT hardware (Servers, Storage, PCs, Laptops etc.) purchased by my Department has a lifecycle of 5 years at which point it is usually replaced. The annual appropriation account circular, which is issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), sets out the depreciation policy to be used by Government Departments in their annual appropriation accounts. The current depreciation policy is set out in Circular 01/2022 and states that IT equipment, hardware and software are depreciated on a straight-line basis to a nil value over 5 years.

After reaching 5 years of age, redundant information technology equipment is disposed of in accordance with DPER circular 30/03 "Depreciation and Disposal of PCs and other computer hardware". The disposal is conducted by certified recycling companies selected from an Office of Government Procurement waste framework. Where viable these firms remove the hard disks containing data and refurbish the equipment. The equipment and/or its constituent components can then be reused.

The hard disks containing data are erased in compliance with industry standards to ensure that all information is removed. This is carried out in all cases regardless of whether the equipment is being reused or recycled. The waste disposal companies are requested to provide my Department with suitable certification indicating that all items are disposed of in accordance with the current legislation. My Department will fully comply with the Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022.