Adjourned County Council Meeting 19/09/06

Response to Proposed Emergency Motion re Register of Electors

A press release was issued by the Council to highlight the Responsibility of each person eligible to vote to ensure that they are included on the Register of Electors for 2007/08.

The question is not a matter of resources but rather a concerted effort to ensure registration of all qualified electors thereby improving the overall accuracy of the Register.

By Circular letter F09/06 of 6^th July 2006 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Council was informed that a package of measures aimed at assisting registration authorities to secure significant improvements in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register would be made available in 2006.

The DoELG have also instructed that if after two house calls no information is obtained or forms returned a notification of intention to delete should issue.

South Dublin County Council was allocated an initial sum of 171,000 to intensify the collation of information with a view to improving the accuracy of the Register of Electors.

This funding has been utilised in the following manner:

a)      Information postcards issued to every elector and potential elector.

b)      47 fieldworkers recruited (calling at least twice and equipped with mobile phones and calling cards).

c)      24 supervisors providing training, monitoring and supervision of fieldwork.

d)      Information days As part of a general awareness/information process South Dublin County Council staff will visit shopping centres/supermarkets in its area during the month of November. The Councils mobile library service will also provide information and forms to its customers on request .

e)      Publicity campaign.

f)        Two additional temporary administrative staff.

It should be noted also that any further expenditure incurred by the Council in this process should be claimed back from the DoELG.