Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
942. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the cost differential between holding voting between the usual hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. as opposed to the reduced voting hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Meath East Dáil by-election in March 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38246/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra943. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the cost differential between holding voting between the usual hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. as opposed to the reduced voting hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Children's referendum in October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38247/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 942 and 943 together.
The costs of running or holding an election or referendum are met from the Central Fund administered by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In both cases, a reduced polling period of 2 hours applied – 9am to 10 pm in the case of the Children Referendum and 8am to 9pm in the case of the Meath East Bye - Election – when viewed against the more usual 7am to 10pm polling period in recent referendums and election s. I understand from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that in the case of the Children Referendum, the reduced polling period gave rise to savings of some €640,000; in the case of the Meath East Bye election it gave rise to savings of some €14,000.
