Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2025
525. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the estimated overall cost to the State of the operation of the recent presidential election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59909/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of elements to the cost of the operation of the recent presidential election. The final costs to include a breakdown of the different aspects of running the election will not be available for some time. However, provisional indications to date of direct costs to be processed and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation include:
• Local Returning Officers -circa €22m advanced to date for the operation of the election including running polling booths and count centres
• Presidential Returning Officer – circa €560k is the estimated requirement for Ballot Papers/manuals and Administration of the event.
• An Post – costs relate to the postage of Polling Cards and Litir um Thoghchán (free post scheme) however final estimates are not yet available
• Autoaddress - circa €80k for preparation of the Register of Electors for the issue of Litir um Thoghchán (one per household)
• OPW – circa €45k for election supplies (Stationery and Polling Booths).
• Candidate expenses – the maximum amount of election expenses that can be reimbursed to a candidate at a presidential election is €250,000.
Returning Officers are obliged to prepare accounts in respect of services and expenses incurred for the purposes of, or in connection with, the conduct of the election and these accounts are due to be submitted to my Department not later than six months after the date on which the poll was conducted. Following receipt of the accounts, a detailed analysis will be available on the presidential election costs processed and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
There are also indirect costs which are costs that are not directly attributable to the operation of the Presidential election (For example: Standards in Public Office Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Departmental Staff Time, etc.).
