Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
231. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of TDs per head of population in 1922 and for every ten years to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7835/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the membership of Dáil Éireann from 1923 and every 10 years thereafter and includes the number of TDs per head of population in each of those years by reference to the relevant Census. In addition, it should be noted that constituency reviews were specifically undertaken in the years 1923, 1935, 1947, 1961, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017 and that information in respect of each of these years is also included in the table below for completeness:
|
Year |
Number of TDs |
Act establishing the number of TDs |
Population |
Census |
Number of TDs per head of population |
|
1923 |
147 |
Electoral Act 1923 |
3,139,688 |
1911 |
21,358 |
|
1933 |
147 |
Electoral Act 1923 |
2,971,992 |
1926 |
20,218 |
|
1935 |
138 |
Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935 |
2,971,992 |
1926 |
21,536 |
|
1943 |
138 |
Electoral (Revision of Constituencies) Act 1935 |
2,968,420 |
1936 |
21,510 |
|
1947 |
147 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 |
2,955,107 |
1946 |
20,103 |
|
1953 |
147 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 |
2,960,593 |
1951 |
20,140 |
|
1961 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1961 |
2,898,264 |
1956 |
20,127 |
|
1963 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1961 |
2,818,341 |
1961 |
19,572 |
|
1969 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1969 |
2,884,002 |
1966 |
20,028 |
|
1973 |
144 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1969 |
2,978,248 |
1971 |
20,682 |
|
1974 |
148 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1974 |
2,978,248 |
1971 |
20,123 |
|
1980 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1980 |
3,368,217 |
1979 |
20,290 |
|
1983 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1983 |
3,443,405 |
1981 |
20,743 |
|
1990 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1990 |
3,540,643 |
1986 |
21,329 |
|
1993 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1990 |
3,525,719 |
1991 |
21,239 |
|
1995 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1995 |
3,525,719 |
1991 |
21,239 |
|
1998 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1998 |
3,626,087 |
1996 |
21,844 |
|
2003 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1998 |
3,917,203 |
2002 |
23,598 |
|
2005 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 2005 |
3,917,203 |
2002 |
23,598 |
|
2009 |
166 |
Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 |
4,239,848 |
2006 |
25,541 |
|
2013 |
158 |
Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2013 |
4,588,252 |
2011 |
29,040 |
|
2017 |
160 |
Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 |
4,761,865 |
2016 |
29,762 |
It should also be noted that the number of TDs specified in the first two rows of the table above, in respect of the years 1923 and 1933 respectively, excludes 6 seats set aside for the two university constituencies of Dublin University (3 seats) and the National University of Ireland (3 seats).
The recently established electoral commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin - is currently undertaking a review of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies in line with its functions under the Electoral Reform Act 2022. That Act provides that the Report of An Coimisiún in respect of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies will be completed and published within three months of the publication of final Census results. With the final Census results expected by the end of May, I expect that the report from An Coimisiún will be available by the end of August 2023.
The final determination of constituencies for Dáil Éireann following its next dissolution will be a matter for the Oireachtas to prescribe in legislation having regard to the recommendations of An Coimisiún.
