Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue with the Minister.

Last week's referendum saw almost 90% of primary schools closed to facilitate voting across Ireland. This has been the practice for years, probably since national elections began in 1922. The closing of schools results in the loss of a working day for students and a considerable inconvenience for many working couples who must arrange for child care on that day.

In the past there were few public buildings other than schools available in many communities to act as polling stations and it was understandable that these buildings would have to be used. However, times have changed and, thankfully, we have a wide variety of public buildings in our communities which could be provided at a minimum of cost, if that is the issue. Most small towns have a community hall, a parish hall, a community gym and other such buildings, which would be available and built with a modern finish to include facilities to ensure people with disabilities would have equal access.

I call on the Minister to ask returning officers to work towards compiling an audit of their current polling stations and to seek expressions of interest from local communities and local authorities on the supply of alternative public buildings to act as polling stations. In places where there are not suitable buildings, schools must still act as polling stations but I am convinced fewer primary schools would need to be closed for future elections and referenda if this proposal were considered.

I ask the Minister to also request returning officers to supply information on the number of full-time unemployed who act as presiding officers and clerks at polling stations. Are the people who carry out this work students or people who work in the schools that are closed on the day? Voters are concerned when they arrive at polling booths and see many people double jobbing, given the number of highly skilled and educated persons who are unemployed.

I urge the Minister to review this system within the next year.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Hogan, who is unavoidably absent. I thank Deputy McLoughlin for raising this important issue which is of interest to all Members.

One of the duties that fall on a returning officer at elections and referenda is to provide a sufficient number of polling stations at every polling place for which he or she is responsible. Polling places normally will be a village or some other population centre. The returning officer is required to locate polling stations as conveniently as possible for use by the electorate in each polling place. Where, for one reason or another, a sufficient number of polling stations cannot be provided at the appointed polling place, the returning officer can arrange for polling stations at another location.

In selecting locations, the traditional approach has been to use schools. This is understandable given their central location in most communities, and especially so in rural areas over the years where a viable alternative to the local school would have been difficult to find. In these challenging economic times, it is also worth noting that the use of any school for the taking of a poll or counting of votes is free of charge where the school is in receipt of a State grant. Nonetheless, returning officers are not obliged to use schools. In guidance issued by the Department, returning officers are advised that they may hire a hall or other premises if they consider this would be a more suitable arrangement in a particular case. This is the case even if there is a school available for use in that area.

Returning officers must be also mindful of the need to provide access to polling stations. As the Deputy mentioned, they should be accessible for those with disabilities. The returning officer is obliged, where practicable, to provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair use. This has seen a shift to more modern buildings, including modernised schools, being used as polling stations where stricter building regulation requirements have addressed this issue.

Returning officers have good knowledge and experience, built up over many years, on the location and use of suitable premises, and they review that on an ongoing basis. In many cases, buildings other than schools are used. They have generally ensured that when it comes to elections and referenda, one should have the opportunity to vote in a convenient location.

As regards a special audit of current polling stations, what would be important is that the public representatives in a county, Dáil Deputies and others, would be in a position to identify directly with their returning officers where the issues arise locally. If Deputy McLoughlin were to copy the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with the correspondence, if it was not being addressed to the satisfaction of the public, we would certainly deal with that issue.

The final matter Deputy McLoughlin raised relates to who is employed and how they are selected. I agree that there must be transparency and accountability and I would presume in the first instance a query to each returning officer would be the appropriate way to seek that information. That information should be available. The public has a right to expect that those who are unemployed, competent and qualified should be given priority if possible.

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the reply.

This issue was brought home forcibly to me over many elections and referenda but particularly on this occasion, when there are many fine buildings in communities that contain all the necessary facilities that could have been used for this purpose. We should also consider the cost of child care since sometimes parents must try to accommodate arrangements at short notice, especially when two in the family are working. It is important to consider polling at weekends. This is what happens in most other European countries and worldwide. Perhaps we could consider that arrangement for the future. We could provide for elections or referendums on Saturdays or Sundays. Some schools will have to be used but there are many community halls and various other fine facilities that could be availed of as well. Polling at the weekend would eliminate that problem.

Given the current climate it is vital to try to give as many people as possible employment. I visited many polling booths during the last polling day to see many young people. I believe more unemployed people could be employed on that day. It would be an experience for them. I realise returning officers will counter that they need people who have experience. Some people involved have been retired for many years. We should look after young people who are unemployed or seeking employment. I thank the Minister of State for his reply.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his comments and I assure him I will bring them to the attention of the Minister. I agree that priority must be given to unemployed people where possible. Obviously, there must be some experienced staff but there is no reason young unemployed people or older unemployed people should not be able to do all the jobs done in any polling station in the country.