Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions he will he put in place to provide prior notice to the family members of residents of nursing homes to allow them assist their relatives to vote, if this is sought. [20956/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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An elector ordinarily resident in a hospital, nursing home or other similar institution who is unable to go in person to vote at their normal polling station by reason of a physical illness or disability may apply to be included in a special voters list. Arrangements are made at each election or referendum for such voters to vote at the institution where they are resident. This is facilitated by the appointment of a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda. Electoral law does not provide for any person other than the special presiding officer to assist such an elector and I have no proposals to amend existing legislation in this regard. The special presiding officer may assist the special voter to vote in the same way as a presiding officer may do in a polling station.