Voters Register for South Dublin County

Press Release

Voters Register for South Dublin County

(Response to 'Another fine Roche mess exposed in voting list chaos'

-Irish Independent 11/05/2007 P.14)

The South Dublin County Council Register of Electors 2007/2008 was compiled following an intensive fieldwork and administrative campaign carried out in accordance with and in many respects exceeding the relevant legislation and revised guidelines and instructions issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

 The following is an outline of the activity undertaken by South Dublin County Council in this regard from July 2006 to date

 47 additional temporary fieldworkers (former census enumerators) were employed to assist the existing 24 no. Council fieldworkers Total no. of fieldworkers 71

• 2 additional temporary Clerical Officers employed
• Information postcard issued to every existing registered elector (182,000) in advance of fieldwork.
• During August and September, every household in the County (approx. 85,000) was called to in person by a fieldworker to gather details of eligible householders. In cases where there was no reply an information card and freepost application form was left.
• In cases where the application form was not returned a second call was made by a fieldworker, a second information card and freepost application form was left.
• 204,500 records were processed during October.
• Based on information confirmed by fieldworkers

21,831 new electors were added to the Register

24,489 electors were deleted from the Register

• Each deletion was confirmed by letter to the relevant elector - approximately 24,500
• In cases where no response was received from a household a first intention to delete letter was issued to each elector approximately 23,000
• In cases where no response was received to the first intention to delete letter a second letter issued to confirm each deletion approximately 16,500
• The Draft Register 2007/2008 was published on the statutory date of 1^st November 2006 with 163,338 electors registered.

 The Draft Register was on public display until 9^th December 2006 during which time people had an opportunity to submit claims for amendments to the Draft. As well as being available in Council Offices, Post Offices, Libraries and Garda Stations an on-line search facility and the relevant application form were available on www.southdublin.ie and www.checktheregister.ie

 An extensive publicity and awareness campaign was undertaken at national level including TV, Radio, Press and outdoor advertising and this was complemented at local level by local press and radio advertising and awareness initiatives. These initiatives included stands at shopping centres and co-operation with local voluntary efforts by Tallaght Partnership, Dublin Womens Action Group and An Cosn.

 Claims for correction to the Draft Register were processed up to the second week of January 2007. As a result of these claims 7,991 electors were added to the Register and 861 were deleted.

 The Council actively pursued other sources of information available including liaison with other local authorities, council tenants records and the Death Event Publication Services (Deaths Register), in an effort to secure accuracy and comprehensiveness.

 The Register of Electors 2007/2008 was published on the statutory date of 1^st February 2007 with at total of 171,971 registered.

 Following the announcement of the General Election a Supplement to the Register was compiled in accordance with the relevant legislation. The closing date for receipt of applications for the Supplement was 5^th May 2007. All applications have been processed and an additional 1,180 electors are now registered to vote.

 It can be seen from the above that every effort was made by South Dublin County Council in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the Voters Register.

 Wednesday 16th May 2007.

 For further information contact Ursula Donnellan, Corporate Services Department, 4149115.