Written answers
Tuesday, 30 March 2004
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Election Management System
9:00 pm
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason EU nationals who are not Irish citizens and who are claiming a vote in the local and European elections have to pay a minimum of â¬10 to claim a vote in Ireland, when they get their statutory declaration signed by a notary. [9924/04]
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with EU Directive 93/109, EU citizens, apart from Irish or UK citizens, who are resident in Ireland, and other than those who were registered at the 1994 or 1999 European elections, must complete an application form and a statutory declaration in order to be registered as European electors. Statutory declarations may be taken by notaries public or commissioners for oath both of whom are entitled to charge a fee. A declaration may also be taken by a peace commissioner for whom there is no remuneration or financial compensation by way of fees or expenses.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of the training course run by the Institute of Public Administration for staff nominated by returning officers and arranged by his Department to prepare for electronic voting. [9925/04]
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Institute of Public Administration has run or is running three training courses for returning officers and staff in preparation for the nationwide rollout of the electronic voting and counting system in June 2004.
The cost per attendant for the courses are as follows: initial election management training â one day course, â¬375; refresher election management course â half-day course, â¬200; and train the polling staff trainers â one day course, â¬475 â â¬440 for reservation of five or more places.
Persons are nominated to attend these courses by local authorities or the appropriate returning officer. While my Department does not have detailed records, we understand that some 400 persons have completed the first course and some 175 the second. The third course is still in progress.
The cost of attendance at these courses is met by the local authorities for staff engaged on local elections and from the central fund in the case of staff of the European returning officers.
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