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Election Management System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Ceisteanna (320, 321)

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

414 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unemployed and employed persons who were hired during referendum polling and counting days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

427 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person responsible for hiring staff at the various polling booths and count centres for the recent referendum; if there was an obligation to hire persons on the live register over those who are currently in some form of paid employment; and if any members of the public sector were employed on the day separate from their existing contracts with the State. [27934/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 427 together.

The 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, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law. Accordingly, there is no information in my Department about the number of election staff chosen from the unemployed or employed, including the public sector.

To assist returning officers, my Department issues guidance to them in advance of each election and referendum. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependent on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed.

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