Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
867. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it continues to be necessary to use primary school buildings as polling booths; if he will consider allowing other buildings to which the public have access to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28862/15]
View answerThe primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there. Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled after school hours. The Guidance also advises that it is open to returning officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate. Electoral law provides that a returning officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.
