Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines or statutory requirements in place in relation to the recruitment, training and remuneration of polling and count staff for elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20106/10]

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 that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referenda, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law. Section 31 of the Electoral Act 1992 sets out the general duty of returning officers including ascertaining and declaring the results of an election while section 95 of the Act contains the legislative provisions relating to the appointment of presiding officers and poll clerks. Returning officers are independent in the performance of their duties.

To assist returning officers, my Department issues guidance to them in advance of each election and referendum. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependant on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed. In addition, my Department issues guidance to presiding officers in advance of each election and referendum outlining the duties and functions presiding officers are expected to perform on polling day in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law.