Vol. 555 No. 1
300 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to extend the postal vote to people who are on holiday or hospitalised at election times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/02]
Postal voting was extended in 1996 to electors who are unable to go in person to vote at a polling station by reason of a physical illness or physical disability. In addition, an elector, who is ordinarily resident in a hospital or in a home or similar institution for persons with a physical illness or physical disability and is unable to go to a polling station, may apply for entry in the special voters list. Postal voting was extended in 1997 to persons whose occupation, service or employment renders it likely that they would be unable to go in person to a polling station on polling day. This category includes third level students in the State.
I have no further proposals to extend the categories of voters eligible for postal voting.
