Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
554 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the bodies or individuals consulted by his Department regarding the access by persons with a disability to the electronic voting machines to be used in the forthcoming elections; if those machines will be fully accessible to persons with disabilities, the measures he has taken to ensure such accessibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8612/04]
View answerMy Department has consulted with the National Disability Authority and the National Council for the Blind, which have provided constructive input into improvements made to the voting machine since the pilot polls. The new features, which include an increase in the size and legibility of candidate details, the use of larger preference numbers and brighter displays for better visibility and the use of a redesigned "cast vote" button, have improved its user-friendliness for the visually impaired and for other users.
At my Department's request, the equipment suppliers have undertaken initial work on developing a facility for the future whereby visually impaired voters, who would otherwise require assistance to vote, will be able to use the new voting system independently. The National Disability Authority and the National Council for the Blind will be consulted regarding the development of that further facility.
The voting machine is at present accessible to wheelchair users and returning officers will also be acquiring a specially designed voting table, with a tilt facility, which will provide for additional ease of use.
I refer also to the reply to Question No. 425 of 9 March 2004.
555 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is concern at either Department or local authority level regarding the need for trained staff to oversee electronic voting in all polling stations; if adequate trained staff have been or are being recruited for that purpose; if polling stations traditionally employed at election time will be in use on 11 June 2004 for e-voting, with no closure of polling stations or other disruption of the election process on polling day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8615/04]
View answerThe employment and training of polling station staff are matters for the European and local returning officers. To support that process regarding the forthcoming June elections at which electronic voting and counting will be introduced nationwide, my Department arranged with the Institute of Public Administration to provide a training course for staff nominated by those returning officers. That training is under way and covers procedures on polling day, including voting machine set-up, voting and close-of-poll arrangements. The staff instructed through that process will then provide training for polling station staff locally.
If additional assistance is required locally for the training of polling station staff, my Department has arranged that that will be provided by the IPA. The provision of polling stations within the polling districts established by local authorities is a matter for the European and local returning officers.
