Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if advice or instructions were given to returning officers for the employment of staff on 5 and 6 June 2009 in polling centres and count centres; if preference or regard was given to persons on jobseeker's benefit or allowance, including qualified graduates; if a breakdown of the categories of staff used is available generally or for a spot area; and if the usual list of names available to returning officers was used with no regard to the many applications from unemployed persons for a days work. [25362/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within this framework, Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the conduct of elections and referenda, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station staff to take the poll on polling day in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law.