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Register of Electors

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (1214)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

1214. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made on the proposals to modernise the electoral register as per his statement of 27 December 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In December 2019, following a public consultation on reforms to the electoral register, the Government approved a number of detailed proposals to modernise the electoral registration process to make it more streamlined, secure and accessible.   

The proposals approved included reforms such as the introduction of a rolling register; optional online registration; identity verification using PPSN; as well as pre-registration for young people, effective data sharing between local authorities; and enabling individual registration.

A number of the measures approved by Government in December 2019 are contingent on primary legislation and a draft General Scheme of a Bill to underpin the proposals was developed and approved by Government on 14 January 2020.

In relation to optional online registration, a procurement exercise has just been finalised in respect of a technical evaluation of the Voter.ie platform being used by the Dublin Local Authorities.   Voter.ie provides the option for electors and potential electors in the Dublin area to apply to register or amend their details online by means of MyGovID.  The evaluation will focus on the security, stability and scalability of the platform.  The work will commence shortly and is expected to be complete by the Autumn.  The outcome will inform a recommendation to Government regarding the suitability of voter.ie for roll out as a national electoral registration platform.

In addition, work is ongoing on developing a new streamlined registration application form to replace the current suite of forms and consultation with Local Authorities as well as the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and the National Disability Authority (NDA) is planned to ensure the form is simple, effective and accessible to all citizens.

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