Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2022
95. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, under the Electoral Reform Act 2022, it is the intention of Government and local authorities to remove persons from the electoral register in the absence of them registering under the new electoral registration system. [58387/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electoral Reform Act 2022, enacted on 25 July, delivers the legislative underpinning for a range of significant electoral reforms set out in the “Programme for Government – Our Shared Future”. Provisions commenced on 13 October under S.I. No. 512 of 2022, included those provisions necessary for the introduction of the new processes in relation to electoral registration.
The reforms include the introduction of rolling (continuously updated) registration; the use of PPSNs and the simplification of the overall registration process.
A national awareness campaign began on 7 November to inform the public of the changes to the registration process and to encourage everyone to check and either confirm or update their details on the register - including by adding their date of birth, PPSN and Eircode. The upgraded check the register website enables people to easily submit requests to update their own details.
Under amendments to the Electoral Act 1992 made by the Electoral Reform Act 2022, the management and maintenance of the electoral register remains a matter for each local authority in respect of its administrative area. The current process aims to encourage people to engage with the register with a view to improving overall data quality. Where there is no engagement, i.e. where entries are not updated, the local authority can follow up in order to check or confirm the accuracy of the information on the register. Where, for the purposes of maintaining an accurate and complete register, a local authority considers it necessary to remove a name, other than the name of a deceased person, from the register, the Act provides a clear process for doing so. The provision requires three documented attempts at contact, which aims to provide a balance between allowing people ample opportunity to engage and ensuring a local authority can fulfil its statutory duty to maintain a complete and accurate register.
