John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 837: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of his acknowledgement that there are at least 500,000 inaccuracies on the electoral register, he would agree that local authorities need to have staff who are dedicated to compiling the register; his views on whether this requires a separate allocation of funding from his Department that is ring fenced from being used for other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10067/06]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 868: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to remarks made during Question Time on 8 March 2006 in relation to the utilisation of the census process for the purposes of authenticating the electoral register; his views on the suggestion that the Central Statistics Office census enumerators be asked to deliver to and collect from each house a register of electors application form; if he has made a decision regarding this proposal; if so, the action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10353/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 868 together.

In law, preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. Comparison between the results of census 2002 and the register indicates a difference of up to 300,000.

My Department wrote to registration authorities on 14 July 2005 and requested them to take all necessary steps to secure significant improvement in the quality of the register. A national awareness campaign was conducted in November 2005 associated with the work on preparation of the register under way at that stage. Also in November 2005, my Department completed work on new and updated guidance for registration authorities on preparing and maintaining the register. The aim of the guidance is to secure significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register by setting out clearly the legal requirements in this complex area, and identifying best practice for registration authorities in their work on the register.

The draft guidance has been circulated for comment to all registration authorities and returning officers and to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government which, in December 2005, discussed it. Following this consultation process, my Department is finalising the guidance. However, in view of the importance of securing improvements in the register, registration authorities have also been asked to proceed to implement the draft guidance with immediate effect.

As regards funding, local authorities meet their general expenditure, including in relation to the register, from a variety of sources such as commercial rates, rents, fees, charges for services, and general purpose grants from the local government fund. In 2006, I allocated general purpose grants to local authorities totalling €875 million, an increase of €57 million, or 7%, over the amount provided last year.

As regards census 2006, information published by the CSO at electoral division level should assist registration authorities in compiling the register for their areas. Separate and distinct policy and legislative contexts apply to the carrying out of a census by the CSO and the compilation of the register by registration authorities. It has not been established that it is feasible to link the two processes at the operational level and there are no proposals to do so. I will continue to keep these important issues under close review.