Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend and reform the register of electors to reduce the incidences of duplication on same and to ensure that electors are not incorrectly removed from the register; if he plans to link the register with PPS numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26757/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future – includes a number of commitments in relation to the registration of electors including the creation of a rolling register; the use of PPSNs to verify identity; simplified forms and the roll out of optional online registration. Together, these reforms will simplify and streamline the entire process of registration making it easier for people to register to vote and update their details.
The use of the PPSN in the context of the register will contribute to the ability of registration authorities to maintain accurate and complete electoral registers by ensuring that each person's record can be uniquely identified, thereby enabling improved management of duplicates and ensuring that changes are made to the correct record.
Work is currently underway in my Department to progress these reforms.
