Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
269. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has discontinued printing voter registration forms for local authorities; and if this will be resumed in the near future. [34225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to a broad range of electoral reforms including the modernisation of voter registration. Proposals to modernise the electoral registration process include the introduction of rolling (continuously updated) registration; the simplification of forms and the overall registration process, and the use of PPSNs in the registration process. New options to register, including online registration will also be made available. Together, these reforms will make it easier for people to register to vote and update their details, while enabling more effective management of the register by local authorities.
The Electoral Reform Bill provides the legislative underpinning for the modernisation among other things, including the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission. The Bill is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas and second stage in the Seanad is scheduled for 30 June 2022.
To prepare for the passage and commencement of the legislation, work to update the systems and forms used by registration authorities is underway. The new process will facilitate online applications but paper forms will remain available and arrangements are being made for their printing and distribution. It is expected that the forms will also be available from a number of websites including local authority websites and www.checktheregister.ie.
