Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
827 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the additional resources which are being given to local authorities to ensure the electoral registers are up to date, in view of the increase in population in building and in mobility generally; when the promised work to improve the quality of the register will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/06]
View answerIn law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. I recently announced a package of measures, to be implemented over the coming months, aimed at assisting local authorities improve the Register. The measures include the use of Census enumerators or other temporary personnel to support local authorities in preparing the next Register. I am also prepared to make increased, ring fenced financial resources available to local authorities this year to update the Register; the details involved are being examined at present.
In order to facilitate an early start to the local authority campaigns in respect of the 2007/8 Register, my Department has distributed stocks of registration forms to the authorities and they have been asked to proceed with their campaigns as soon as possible.
