Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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577. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the issue of voter registration will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2306/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Electoral Reform Act 2022 underpinned a series of modernisations and enhancements to electoral registration including the introduction of rolling registration and the use of PPSNs in the process. This allows people to apply for inclusion in the register or update their details at any time up to 15 days before polling day via a simple online process through either checktheregister.ie or Voter.ie. In 2024 over 650,000 applications were submitted to Local Authorities through these online portals, of which over 165,000 were received in November before the closing date.

Section 96 of the Electoral Act 1992 provides for the Order which sets the date of the election and opening hours for polling stations. Specifically, it provides that the poll at a Dáil election shall be taken no earlier than the 18th or later than the 25th day (excluding Good Friday, Sundays and public holidays) after the issue of the writ by the Clerk of the Dáil.

Pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds has also been available for over 2 years and those who use this facility are added to the register automatically when they turn 18, including if they turn 18 on polling day or in the 14 day period when the register is closed.

The continuation of this work is also incorporated in the Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future which includes a commitment to make the electoral registration process more efficient and accessible for citizens.