Written answers

Thursday, 1 March 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Election Management System

5:00 pm

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will require all polling stations to provide access for people with disabilities; if he will require all polling stations to provide polling booths at a sufficiently low height to accommodate wheelchair users; and if he will ensure this will be in place for the next general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8065/07]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Electoral Act 1992, the selection of buildings to be used as polling stations at an election or referendum is a matter for the returning officer. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996 provides that local authorities, in making polling schemes, shall endeavour to appoint polling places which allow the returning officer to provide at each place at least one polling station that is accessible to wheelchair users. The Act also requires that the returning officer shall, where practicable, provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users. In addition, the Act requires the returning officer to provide at each polling station such other arrangements as may serve to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by voters who may be wheelchair users.

Under the Act, the returning officer must, where practicable, give public notice of all polling stations which are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than eight days before polling day. If an elector will have difficulty gaining access to his or her polling station, he or she may apply in writing to the returning officer for authorisation to vote at another polling station in the same constituency.

If a person has a physical disability or physical illness which prevents him or her from going to the polling station, the person can vote by post if he or she applies to be included in the postal voters list which is drawn up each year as part of the register of electors. In order to be entered on the postal voters list, the person must apply to the appropriate local authority by 25 November each year. After that date, an application for inclusion on the supplement to the postal voters list may be made.

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