Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 14 September 2022, if he will clarify the definition of the supplement form; if it is a completely different document from the RFA1 form; if the supplement form has a specific name; and if the form can be filled in and submitted by a resident of Ireland at any time of the year, unlike the RFA1 form. [48017/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The maintenance and management of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local authority. Under the current legislation there are a number of ways in which a person can interact with the register at different points in the cycle.

The form RFA1 is used to submit a claim to have a correction made in the draft register published on 1 November each year, and can be submitted between the 1 and 25 November in order for changes to be reflected in the final register that will come into force on the following 15 February.

The supplement form is numbered RFA2 and can be submitted at any time of year, though in respect of a particular election or referendum, must be received before the 14th day before polling day (disregarding any excluded day). This type of application will relate to the supplement to the register then in force, rather than any draft in preparation.

While the process has served the country well for many years, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for a more responsive electoral registration process as part of a range of significant electoral reforms outlined in the Programme for Government. Among the changes to the process are the introduction of rolling (continuously updated) registration; the simplification of forms and the use of PPSNs in the registration process. These changes mean that electors and potential electors will be able to apply to the registration authority to be included or to update their registration details at any time. Many of these applications will be possible using a single online application, though a paper form will remain available for those who wish to use it.

In order to prepare for the commencement of the legislation, work to update the systems used by registration authorities is underway, and is expected to be completed shortly.