John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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2217. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the provisions which are in place for ensuring that all persons turning 18 years of age and eligible to vote are added to the register of electors; if he will liaise with his colleague the Minister for Social Protection, in view of the fact that this data is readily available from the Department of Social Protection in order to arrange that all those turning 18 years of age are automatically added to the register of electors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27852/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Electoral law provides for an entitlement rather than an obligation to be registered as an elector when eligibility criteria, including reaching the age of 18 years, are met. The preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local authority, as a registration authority. It is the duty of registration authorities to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. In support of activity by local authorities in preparing the register of electors, my Department promotes greater awareness of the register of electors through an annual campaign of promotional posters, the use of social-media and the taking out of both newspaper and on-line advertisements. In addition, my Department liaises with student bodies and youth organisations to promote awareness amongst their members and younger people generally who may be registering for the first time. 

I have no plans to introduce automatic registration of voters. However, the Government has agreed that work should now commence on modernisation of the voter registration process, in the context of facilitating the registration of voters resident outside the State, in the event of an extension of the franchise at Presidential elections being approved by the people in a referendum. This will deliver benefits by providing for the registration of all voters in an efficient and user-friendly manner, while also, vitally, protecting the integrity of the system. All aspects of voter registration, including the legal provisions, will be reviewed as part of this project.