As I have outlined in response to the Deputy's earlier priority question, Returning Officers are statutorily responsible for the conduct of elections and may, under electoral law, use school premises for this purpose. Schools that have been identified as polling stations do not require the approval of my Department to close on polling day and accordingly data in respect of the number of schools is not readily available within my Department. Overall responsibility for the running of elections and referenda is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
I would like to note that for many years there has been an ongoing campaign for polling to take place on Saturdays, which would prevent the loss of any school days. In light of this, the Children's Referendum was held on a Saturday, with 33.5% of eligible voters taking part. This was obviously a disappointing turnout, which raises further questions about the best day for polling to take place. The most recent referendums took place on a Friday, with 60.5% of eligible voters taking part – the highest turnout in many years. I believe that the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission will allow for a much more detailed analysis of electoral turnout on different days of the week, across different jurisdictions. I also believe that the Commission will be best placed to advise on the most appropriate venues to be used as polling stations, and I look forward to engaging with the Commission in relation to the use of school premises for that purpose.
