Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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621. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that people registering for a postal vote due to disability or illness are required to have their application form certified by a doctor, and that many doctors charge a fee for this; if he accepts that this fee acts as a barrier to people with disabilities or long-term illnesses exercising their right to vote; and if he will consider measures to remove this barrier, such as providing the certification service free of charge or exploring alternative verification methods. [49728/25]

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if she will consult with general practitioners to introduce no charge for signing the postal vote form for those requiring it due to medical reasons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48099/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 658 together.

Applications for a postal vote due to illness or disability must be certified by a registered medical practitioner to enable the registration authority consider and be satisfied that the applicant is unable to attend their polling station to vote on polling day due to their illness or disability as provided for under Section 14(d) of the Electoral Act 1992 as amended. Under the amended legislation the certifying medical practitioner no longer needs to provide the nature of the illness or disability, but can indicate an expected duration, which the registration authority will have regard to when assigning a postal voting arrangement. This means that for those people with longer term or ongoing issues, annual renewal will not necessarily be required. A fee for the required medical certification is not prescribed in electoral law and is a private matter for the medical practitioner.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin’s research programme, published on 10 July 2024, includes a commitment to commence its research in 2025 into the extension of postal voting. Given the need to ensure the integrity of the application process, as well as the equitable treatment of different categories of voters, An Coimisiún’s work in highlighting areas for eliminating barriers will be vital. Once An Coimisiún has completed its work and research in the area and made recommendations on the issue of postal voting, the matter of private medical practitioners charging fees for postal voting due to illness or disability can be considered as part of a broader consideration of postal voting.