Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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267. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the boundaries for local electoral areas will be reviewed ahead of the 2024 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Electoral Reform Act 2022, which provides for, among other matters, the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin, amends Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 in respect of the review of local electoral areas. Under Chapter 8 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, future reviews of local electoral areas are now a function of the newly-established An Coimisiún Toghcháin.

Section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to divide a local authority area into local electoral areas and to amend those areas. However, in advance of deciding to make an order under section 23 of the Act, the Minister must, in accordance Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 (as amended), request An Coimisiún Toghcháin to make a report having regard to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.

Following the completion of a review, the Minister must publish the report of An Coimisiún and must have regard to the report in deciding whether to make an order in relation to any amendment to local electoral area boundaries.

Notwithstanding the above, I have no plans to make an order under section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 amending local electoral areas in advance of the 2024 local elections.