Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the basis on which he is considering providing additional resources to local authorities in relation to the ongoing review of the electoral register; if the current advertising campaign is funded from the €6 million already announced, €3 million which was made available to local authorities in July 2006 for fieldwork on the project; if consultants have been engaged to organise and run the advertising campaign; if so, the persons engaged and the amount expended for this purpose; the measures being put in place for future years if consideration is being given to removing part of the function to local authorities regarding the compilation of the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38326/06]

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 cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In April 2006, I announced a package of measures to assist local authorities in their work on preparing the 2007/8 Register, which included a commitment to provide additional ring-fenced financial resources to support local authorities' own spending in respect of the register campaign. I advised authorities that a contribution of some €6 million can be made available in this regard. An initial allocation of some €3 million, based on the number of households in each local authority area, was made available in July to local authorities for registration work, with the balance of this funding to be made available following completion of the registration work.

As regards publicity and awareness, a two-stage approach has been developed, involving information notices followed by an intensive media campaign. Information notices were published in the national press on 19-21 August, urging co-operation with local register campaigns. In addition, a national publicity and awareness campaign involving TV, radio, press and outdoor advertising commenced on 11 September and will run until 25 November (the closing date for submitting corrections to the Draft Register). Following a competitive tender process, Young Euro RSCG were appointed to undertake a publicity and awareness campaign in relation to the Register. Some €1 million is being spent on the campaign. This is additional to the funding being provided to local authorities. I have already indicated that, in addition to short-term action to improve the quality of the Register, I am open to consideration of longer options for change in this regard on a consensus basis.