Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will collate information regarding the number of public service employees employed as either polling clerks or presiding officers on polling day of the most recent referendum; if he will further collate information regarding the number of public servants employed to count the votes in the most recent referendum and if in view of the record levels of unemployment and further referenda envisaged in the near future the steps he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30522/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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 referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law. Accordingly, there is no information in my Department about the staff employed at the recent referendum and I have no proposals to collate information in that regard.

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.