Mr. Joseph Burke:

I think the average hourly rate in the first quarter of this year was something like €30 or €29.50 according to the CSO. This is less than that. It is not me suggesting the amount being paid is not sufficient. Rather, that is the feedback I am getting from people I employ and whom we seek to re-employ. They tell us they worked for us previously but are not prepared to do so again because they do not think it is worth their time based on what they got in take-home pay. Previously, there was some facility whereby there was a different taxation regime in relation to the payment for workers, so some people were used to getting a particular figure. It was then slightly changed at some time in the last decade or so, which means they get less now than they used to for the same work, which is always a problem. That also impacts. It is certainly not me who is suggesting the figure is not sufficient. I am just providing the committee with the feedback I am getting from people. The returning officers have spoken previously to the Department of public expenditure about it. I think there was some adjustment made between March and June and we are hopeful there might be further adjustments made in the future. It is a recurring theme for me when I am dealing with people and trying to recruit. That is why I have highlighted it.

On training, it is important to understand that a manual is provided by the Department for the presiding officers. I have a copy here. That is one part of the training presiding officers receive. It sets out in a very clear way all the matters they need to be aware of and deal with on polling day. In addition, all the presiding officers and supervisory presiding officers are brought in for face-to-face training on the weekends before the elections. At that training a very experienced trainer goes through every aspect of the duties, including demonstrations with the ballot box and ballot papers. A video is also provided which the officers watch. Any queries they might have about their duties are addressed then.

Poll clerks always work in conjunction with the presiding officer. The two of them are at the table together. The poll clerk also gets training by way of a video that is distributed. Again, there is a large volume of poll clerks and in the time available to us, it is not always possible to get them in for face-to-face training. There is a particular video for poll clerks that very clearly explains their duties. Presiding officers are briefed in advance that their first duty on the morning is to ascertain whether poll clerks have previously worked on elections and, if not, to again go through with them what their duties are. Poll clerks and staff arrive at 6.30 a.m. so there is time for a discussion. The poll clerk works under the supervision of the presiding officer at all times.

The system works. From the point of view of any issues that arise during the day regarding somebody's performance, the chain of command is that the presiding officer brings it to the attention of the inspector. Inspectors attend each polling place three to four times during the day. I attend a lot of them. I spend most of the day of the poll travelling around the city calling in to check to see what is happening in polling stations, to observe and to make sure things are being carried out to my satisfaction and in the way we expect them to be carried out. There is a chain of command for the reporting of any incidents. If a poll clerk is not performing his or her duties, a very clear system is in place whereby the office can be contacted by the presiding officer or inspector and a replacement person sent in to take up duties, including when somebody falls ill or for whatever reason. It works the same way as in many workplaces. There is a chain of seniority. If there is an issue, it is addressed on the day.