John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if in the interest of fairness he will work with his ministerial colleagues to prioritise the appointment of those on the live register to posts in voting and count centres for the upcoming referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41949/12]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if in the interest of fairness he will ensure that appointments for posts in voting and count centres for the upcoming referendum will be prioritised for those on the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/12]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the number of temporary posts in voting and count centres which will be created for the upcoming referendum; the hourly daily pay for each post; the means by which these posts will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41948/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 387 and 388 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 referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law. Accordingly, information relating to the number of temporary posts that will be created for the upcoming referendum is not available in my Department.

The costs of running or holding an election or referendum, including the remuneration of personnel employed in polling stations and count centres, are met from the Central Fund by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

My Department issues guidance to Returning Officers 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.