Vol. 472 No. 1
178 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Environment the reason it is necessary for a permanently disabled person to reapply to remain on the register; if he will simplify the process of the approval of such applications to ensure that a person who is permanently disabled and applies for a disabled persons vote will continue to have a vote without the need to reapply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/96]
An application for entry in the special voters' list is required to be made each year because the list remains in force only for the duration of the relevant register of electors of which it forms part. As the special voting facility is not confined solely to persons with a permanent physical illness or physical disability, the requirement that applicants for entry in the list make an application annually is essential to ensure that persons do not remain on the list after their circumstances may have changed. Since 1992, medical certificates are not required for applications after the first, unless specially requested by the registration authority.
