Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who work at polling stations could be taken from the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37821/11]

Deputies:

345. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will prioritise targeting persons who are unemployed when finding staff to fill positions at polling stations and count centres for coming elections and referendums, rather than the current system whereby it is largely existing public sector workers who are already in employment who do such work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38055/11]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures in place for the recruitment of staff at polling stations at election time; if any effort was made during the recent presidential election to give the work to unemployed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37603/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 344, 345 and 378 together.

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.

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 dependent 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.