The electoral register and the process that underpins it has served this country well but we all recognise that it can be improved and modernised to bring about a more straightforward and streamlined process of registration that makes it easier for people to register to vote and update their details.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to a series of reforms including the introduction of rolling (continuously updated) registration; the simplification of forms and the registration process, including an online option; a single national electoral register database; and the use of PPSNs. Other policies being progressed include pre-registration for young people; provision for anonymous registration in certain specific circumstances and the abolition of the edited register.
The public consultation which ran from 17 December 2018 to 15 March 2019 showed significant support for modernisation of the registration process and the specific proposals above. A report on the outcome can be found on my Department's website at - https://www.housing.gov.ie/public-consultation-proposals-modernise-electoral-registration-process.
The implementation of these and related proposals is progressing and in this regard my Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of a Bill, which will be brought to Government shortly.
