Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on concerns raised by teachers and parents regarding the use of schools as polling stations on voting days, as schools are closed for the day, and parents have to seek child-minding arrangements as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 867 of 14 July 2015 which sets out the position in this matter. Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there.

Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled after school hours. The Guidance also advises that it is open to returning officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate. Electoral law provides that a returning officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.