John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures he had put in place for people who were illiterate and could not read notification regarding the deletion of their names from the register of electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40789/06]

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; house to house or other sufficient enquiries must be made for this purpose.

In April 2006, I announced a package of measures to assist local authorities in their work on preparing the 2007/8 Register, which included the use of Census enumerators or other temporary personnel to support local authorities in preparing the Register; over 1,500 personnel were engaged in this work.

My Department worked with a group of local authority managers and senior officials to put in place the enhanced programme for improving the next Register. Detailed procedures for the carrying out of registration fieldwork were finalised and issued to local authorities in early July. The procedures included provision for ensuring that each household was visited at least twice and provided with forms and information, if necessary. This provision for extensive house to house enquiries would have been of particular assistance to persons with literacy difficulties.