Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will furnish a response to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28245/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In accordance with electoral law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority and it is the duty of each authority to ensure, in so far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register.

Under section 63 of the Electoral Act 1997, students attending an educational institute in the State on a full time basis who are registered to vote and live away from the family residence for study purposes and cannot attend at their designated polling station on polling day are eligible to apply for entry onto the postal voters list. It is a matter for the relevant registration authority to satisfy itself that application forms are properly completed and duly certified by the educational institute and that the circumstances of the case are in accordance with the law. Rule 5(3)(a) of the Second Schedule to the Electoral Act 1992 provides that the registration authority may for the purposes of their duties in relation to the preparation of a register require a person to give any information in their possession which the registration authority may require.

Section 6 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 provides that a person who is on the register of electors and moves residence from one Dáil constituency to another can apply for entry to the supplement at their new address provided they have notified the registration authority to delete their name from the register in respect of their previous address. It is open, therefore, to a student to complete a change of address form (Form RFA 3) so that they may vote in the constituency in which they are ordinarily resident for the period of their studies.