The Institute of Public Administration has run or is running three training courses for returning officers and staff in preparation for the nationwide rollout of the electronic voting and counting system in June 2004.
The cost per attendant for the courses are as follows: initial election management training — one day course, €375; refresher election management course — half-day course, €200; and train the polling staff trainers — one day course, €475 — €440 for reservation of five or more places.
Persons are nominated to attend these courses by local authorities or the appropriate returning officer. While my Department does not have detailed records, we understand that some 400 persons have completed the first course and some 175 the second. The third course is still in progress.
The cost of attendance at these courses is met by the local authorities for staff engaged on local elections and from the central fund in the case of staff of the European returning officers.