Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1128. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether all polling stations should be fully accessible, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59904/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1129. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the requirements for polling stations in relation to accessibility; if all polling locations meet these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59907/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1128 and 1129 together.

Under electoral law, Returning Officers are responsible for the selection and provision of polling stations at polling places. Section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by section 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996, provides that Returning Officers must, where practicable, select buildings for polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users.

The Working Group on Disability Voting, chaired by my Department, was established to examine relevant issues that arise under a range of areas, including improving accessibility to polling stations for voters with physical disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, with the goal of all polling stations being fully accessible as soon as possible. Returning Officers continue to work to reduce the number of inaccessible polling buildings and polling stations.

Returning Officers must give public notice of all polling stations that are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than eight days before polling day. If an elector anticipates difficulty in gaining access to his or her polling station, he or she may apply in writing to the Returning Officer for authorisation to vote at another polling station in the same constituency.

Recognising that people with disabilities have particular needs, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. My Department produces a Memorandum for the Guidance of Returning Officers in advance of all electoral events. These memoranda advise that the selection of polling stations should have regard to the needs of voters with disabilities. They also advise that if a polling station traditionally used is not accessible consideration should be given to using an alternative accessible venue. The accessible voting checklist that accompanies the memorandum also sets out practical ways in which the current venue could be made accessible. Prior to the European and local elections in June 2024, my Department updated the accessible voting checklist, taking into account the views and feedback of members of the Working Group on Disability Voting on voters’ experiences at previous polls.

The Electoral Acts also provide for a range of measures to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, including:

• the requirement on local authorities, in making polling schemes, to appoint as polling places areas where at least one polling station will be accessible to wheelchair users;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to put in place arrangements to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by wheelchair users. In guidance to Returning Officers, my Department has suggested the provision at each polling station of an appropriately located table and chair to facilitate this requirement;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to ensure, where practicable, that the place appointed for the counting of votes is accessible to wheelchair users.