Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 800: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the preparations in hand to correct and update the voters register; when he expects the process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27668/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In law, the 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 recently announced a package of measures, to be implemented over the coming months, aimed at assisting local authorities to improve the Register. The measures include the use of Census enumerators or other temporary personnel to support local authorities in preparing the next Register. I am also prepared to make increased, ring fenced financial resources available to local authorities this year to update the Register.

In order to facilitate an early start to the local authority campaigns in respect of the 2007/8 Register, my Department has distributed stocks of registration forms to the authorities and they have been asked to proceed with their campaigns as soon as possible. The Electoral Act 1992 requires that the draft Register is published not later than 1 November each year.